MARSHALL, MISSOURI  – Grand View traveled to Missouri this weekend to face nationally-ranked Missouri Valley. After going down 1-0 in the second half, the Vikings equalized with just 4 minutes to play, and the game ended 1-1.

Grand View undoubtedly went into this match-up with the underdog status due to Missouri Valley being 6-0 in conference play this season. This did not phase Grand View and, if anything, riled them up with the thought of pulling off an upset. In the opening seconds, the Vikings let Missouri Valley know that this was not going to be a walkover when Pietro Piacenza was played through and was denied by the goalkeeper. Defensively, Grand View was sharp and aware of Missouri Valley's biggest threats. Fullbacks Alvin Shivere and Nate Mutakyawa were winning their battles in wide areas, and Charlie Wells produced a trademark goal-line clearance to keep the score 0-0 going into halftime.

In the 2nd half, the fight and desire did not drop for the Vikings, as they absorbed the pressure for the first 20 minutes, with Scott Pengelly making several acrobatic saves. However, in the 66th minute, Charlie Wells turned a shot into his own net, leaving Pengelly with no chance of saving it. After this goal, the Vikings upped their intensity once more, pressing from the front to try to score that crucial equalizer. In the 76th minute, Benedikt Zechmeister slipped a pass through the defense to Kai McPeak, who could not convert from a tight angle. However, this encouraged Grand View, and following a corner, McPeak brought the ball down and played it to Pietro Piacenza, who fired a shot into the top right corner from 25 yards out with his weak foot. As the Grand View bench erupted, it was time for the Vikings to hold on to this vital tie for the remaining 5 minutes, and they did so expertly, running the clock down to zero and gaining a point on the road against top-of-the-conference Missouri Valley. The game ended 1-1, boosting Grand View for the remaining 4 conference games.

SCORING SUMMARY
65:14 – MISSOURI VALLEY – Own Goal 
85:54 – GRAND VIEW – Pietro Piacenza (Assist: Kai McPeak)

MATCH NOTES
•    Grand View picked up 6 yellow cards
•    Missouri Valley out-shot Grand View, 17 shots to 7
•    Alvin Shivere made his first start of the season


UP NEXT
Next Saturday, October 19th, is Senior Night for Grand View Men's Soccer, as we celebrate the careers of those in their last season for the Vikings. This event will take place prior to a match-up against Culver-Stockton at Cownie Soccer Complex, which kicks off at 6:30 PM in Des Moines, IA.