Des Moines, IA – On 2024 Senior Day, spirits were high for Men's Soccer, and that showed on the field as the Vikings overpowered Culver Stockton, winning 3-2 at Cownie Soccer Complex.


Following on from last week's tie with the high-flying Missouri Valley, Grand View could enter this match-up with high levels of confidence and belief. Prior to the game kicking off, Grand View celebrated the careers of 11 senior Vikings. Benedikt Zechmeister, Clement Scaccia, Alvin Shivere, Martin Launay, Paulo Marques, Scott Pengelly, Kai McPeak, Lier Ayarza, Emiliano Laguna, Samuel Londono, and Jaren Obia were all commemorated for their times with Grand View Men's Soccer.


In the first half, Grand View dominated the ball at times, creating chances for Alvin Shivere and Warren Sung early on, but the Vikings could not capitalize on errors from the Wildcats. Culver Stockton carried a serious threat of their own, as their defender produced ferocious long throws on several occasions, testing the Vikings' defense. After the introduction of Joshua Grosser, it provided Grand View with more pace on the wings, which paid off in the 35th minute when the German crossed the ball into the box, and Clement Scaccia was fouled for a penalty. Senior captain Benedikt Zechmeister stepped up and made no mistake, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and making it 1-0 to the Vikings. With the wind in Grand View's sails, just 5 minutes later, Kai McPeak threaded a pass through to Grosser, who slid the ball under the Wildcats' goalkeeper, extending the Vikings' lead to 2-0 in the 40th minute. The Vikings were on top, but they conceded a corner in the 43rd minute, and Culver Stockton used their set-piece prowess to grab a goal back just before the break. At half-time, the score would be 2-1 Vikings.


After conceding late in the first half, Grand View regained composure and came out of the break with high intensity and work rate. In the 50th minute, the Vikings were unlucky not to extend their lead once more when McPeak rattled the underside of the bar. The Wildcats were under lots of attacking pressure but were battling to keep the ball out of the net, clearing the ball off the line and making last-ditch tackles. Matheus Martins Silva hit a curling effort from far out, but again, Grand View would be denied by the woodwork. Grand View would be made to pay for these missed chances in the 74th minute, when a shot would squeeze in at the near post, making it 2-2 with 15 minutes to go. Again, the Vikings pressed hard to find another goal, and in the 86th minute, Lier Ayarza smartly won another penalty for the Vikings. Warren Sung took the ball and sent it home, as the Englishman scored another game-winner for Grand View. The last few moments of the game were spent in the corner, with Lier Ayarza, Warren Sung, and Kai McPeak all running the clock down by keeping the ball as far away from their net as possible. The game would end 3-2, and Grand View would pick up their first conference win of the season.



SCORING SUMMARY
35:00 – GRAND VIEW – Benedikt Zechmeister (Assist: Clement Scaccia)

40:00 – GRAND VIEW – Joshua Grosser (Assist: Kai McPeak)

43:06 – CULVER – Jackson Richmiller

73:34 – CULVER – Tobias Vales

85:21 – GRAND VIEW – Warren Sung (Assist: Lier Ayarza)


MATCH NOTES
· Grand View hit a season-high 23 shots, with 9 on goal
· 9 Seniors took to the field on Senior Day
· Grand View move to 1-4-3 in conference play


UP NEXT
It's a quick turnaround for Men's Soccer this week. The Vikings face Graceland on Tuesday night, October 22nd, at Cownie Soccer Complex. The Vikings hope to make consecutive wins, and this game kicks off at 7:30 PM in Des Moines, Iowa.