Men's Soccer Shows Resilience while Improving to 4-0

The Reivers got off to a good start this week with a win over North Iowa Area Community College on Tuesday at home. On yet another windy day at the Reiver Sports Complex, the Reivers faced an organized NIACC team that defended with energy and patience. It wasn't until the 39th minute of the first half that the Reivers were able to break the deadlock off of a goal from Ivan Callado. The Reivers dominated possession throughout the day and eventually were able to tire out the NIACC defenders and creating opportunities to score. Carlos Santamaria scored a penalty in the 43rd minute to send the Reivers into halftime with a 2-0 lead. It took until the 77th minute for the Reivers to score their final goal. Merdi Nkiliko finished off a cross from Benjamin Cam to make it 3-0 and the Reivers would go on to control the ball and run down the time during the final 10 minutes of the game. Patrick Millard and the backline earned their third shutout of the season while the goalkeeper made two saves. 

Goals and Assists:

39th minute: Goal by Ivan Callado (8), Assisted by Merdi Nkiliko (1)

43rd minute: Goal by Carlos Santamaria (1)

77th minute: Goal by Merdi Nkiliko (1), Assisted by Benjamin Cam (4)

The Reivers faced their toughest competition of the season today at home against Indian Hills. Indian Hills sat back and defended for almost the entire game, but proved to be difficult to break. The Warriors took their only three shots of the game in the first half and only one was on target, but that was all they needed to score a goal off of a set piece deep in the Reiver's half. The Reivers faced their first deficit of the season heading into halftime down 1-0, but they continued to create scoring opportunities through possession and excellent defensive transitions. In the second half, the Reivers took 10 shots earned four corner kicks. Ivan Callado proved to be the most dangerous man on the pitch today as he put the Reivers on the board in the 51st minute off of a clever touch and body feint inside the penalty area before slotting the ball past the keeper. Benjamin Cam provided the assist on the play and that was already his fifth assist of the season. Maruki Kawahara scored a penalty kick in the 69th minute after winning a penalty in the box and Merdi Nkiliko finished off a cross from Ibrahim Conde in the 83rd minute to seal the deal for Iowa Western. The Reivers were disappointed to give up their first goal of the season, but continue to dominate opponents and currently hold a +33 goal differential through their first four games of the season. 

Goals and Assists:

51st minute: Goal by Ivan Callado (9), Assisted by Benjamin Cam (5)

69th minute: Goal by Maruki Kawahara (3)

83rd minute: Goal by Merdi Nkiliko (2), Assisted by Ibrahim Conde (1)

Up next is another home game against Marshalltown at the Reiver Sports Complex on Monday at 1pm. Marshalltown is 4-1-1 on the season and is coming off of a 3-2 win against Iowa Central.