DES MOINES, IA - Grand View needed a moment of magic to break through a stubborn Baker University (KS) defense, and
Justin Figaroa delivered it twice in the span of just over two minutes late in the second half, lifting the Vikings to a 2-0 win and a winning start to Heart of America Athletic Conference play. Grand View, the reigning NAIA national champions, improves to 2-2-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play.
Grand View controlled the run of play from the opening whistle but could not find a breakthrough in the first half. Figaroa had an early look sail wide right in the third minute, and
Hayato Yoshitake tested the Wildcats goalkeeper twice inside the first 12 minutes, both saved. The Wildcats had a couple of chances of their own on the counter but could not make it past
Luis Helm either. Grand View poured on the pressure in the final 15 minutes of the half, with
Anthony Ulloa and
Lucas Newhard both denied on saves in a two-minute span,
Herman Furumo seeing a shot blocked, and Newhard heading one wide off a corner-kick sequence. A yellow card on
Seth Comer was the only blemish for the Vikings, who closed the half with saves off Figaroa and Yoshitake in the final minutes, and the teams went to the break scoreless.
The second half followed a similar script. Furumo, Ulloa, and Newhard all had good looks turned away, while the Baker goalkeeper continued to frustrate the Vikings' attack. Baker managed a few chances of its own but never seriously tested Helm, who did not need to make a single save in the second half. Grand View kept up the pressure without reward deep into the final ten minutes before that pressure finally paid off.
In the 81st minute, Grand View was awarded a penalty kick, and Figaroa stepped up and buried it to make it 1-0. Just over two minutes later, Figaroa struck again to double the lead to 2-0 and put the match out of reach. A late yellow card on
Pau Gonzalez was the only other notable moment as Grand View closed out the shutout.
GAME NOTES
- Justin Figaroa scored both Grand View goals in a span of just over two minutes late in the second half, including a converted penalty kick, to account for the match's only scoring
- Grand View out-shot Baker University (Kan.) 21-8 overall and 14-2 on goal, but had to wait until the 81st minute for its first goal
- Luis Helm earned the clean sheet, making both of his saves in the first half and facing nothing on frame after the break
- The win opens Heart of America Athletic Conference play at 1-0-0 for Grand View
UP NEXT
Grand View stays home to host Graceland University on Tuesday, September 15th at 5:00 PM in Heart of America Athletic Conference play.
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