Mustangs Drop Road Contest Against Baker

BALDWIN CITY, Kan. - Mount Mercy was shut out on the road Saturday, falling 2-0 to Baker in Heart of America Athletic Conference men's soccer action.

The Mustangs (7-4-1, 4-3-0) conceded both goals in the opening half. Baker broke through in the 24th minute when Parker Hurla scored off a service from Chafik El Idrissi. The Wildcats doubled the lead in the 44th minute on Abdul Rahman Jalloh's finish, assisted by Akira Itadani.

Mount Mercy generated limited chances in the attack, recording four shots and placing two on target. Leon Pozo and Lucas Olivera each forced saves from Baker goalkeeper Maxot Arystanov, who finished with two stops in 90 minutes. The Mustangs earned just one corner kick, coming early in the second half, and were flagged offside four times.

Defensively, goalkeeper Alejandro Cuende faced steady pressure, making four saves against six shots on frame. He denied multiple efforts in the second half, including headers from El Idrissi and Noah Conover, but the early deficit held.

Mount Mercy committed nine fouls, with Pablo Ortega Herreros booked in the 68th minute. Pozo, Olivera, Tomas Parra Reyna and Cyprien Rocard registered the team's shots. Despite rotating heavily, the Mustangs could not break through Baker's back line.

The Mustangs return home for the penultimate home game of the season, taking on Benedictine on Saturday at 3:30.