Mustangs battle top-ranked Eagles

FAYETTE, Mo. -- The Mount Mercy men's soccer team put forth a valiant effort in Saturday's quarterfinal round of the Heart of America Athletic Conference Championships, but in the end, top-ranked Central Methodist defeated the Mustangs, 3-0, at Davis Field.

The Eagles (17-1) took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Theo Klein in the eighth minute, but after that initial score, neither team was able to put up another mark until the 77th minute. Clayton Duarte made it 2-0 before Marcos German, who assisted Duarte's goal, found the back of the net in latter moments of regulation.

Central Methodist held a 22-9 advantage in total shots, as well as an 11-6 margin in shots on goal. Goalkeeper Lucca Munhoz (JR/Sao Paolo, Brazil) and the Mustang defense held their own against the top scoring team in the Heart this season. Munhoz finished with seven saves in 90 minutes.

Mount Mercy ends the season at 5-7-2, while Central Methodist (17-1) hosts William Penn on Wednesday in the Heart semifinals.