This article was originally published prior to June 2, 2013. Due to a change in the content management systems, the initial publication date in not available. 

After a 4-3 victory over rival William Jewell College last year, hopes were high for the Baker men’s soccer team Sunday.

The William Jewell Cardinals came into the game unbeaten and ranked No. 8 in the NAIA with a 9-0 record.

The game started out as a battle for possession, with both sides having difficulties establishing dominance in the first half.

The second half, however, turned toward the Cardinals’ favor when a goal, resulting from a corner kick, was headed high into the net after five minutes of resumed play.

The Cardinals added to their lead after another set play on a corner kick in the 68th minute of play, resulting in another goal to give William Jewell a 2-0 advantage.

But the momentum quickly shifted back to the Wildcats after freshman Andy Griffin headed a ball past the William Jewell goalkeeper just six minutes later to bring Baker within a goal.

After several close opportunities, time expired and Baker took its third loss of the season.

“I thought we played well,” assistant coach Davy Phillips said. “We are pleased with what we’re doing; we just need to do it a little better.”

Tuesday featured yet another challenging conference match for the Wildcats.

The game on Tuesday at Liston Stadium was against the Pioneers from MidAmerica Nazarene University.

The Wildcats dominated the first half of play, which was capitalized by a goal from freshman Connor Brehm,  who knocked a ball past the MidAmerica goalkeeper 12 minutes into the game.

But then, with six minutes left in the half, sophomore Odaine Sinclair was awarded a red card, and the ‘Cats were forced to play a man down for the rest of the match.

Despite the 1-0 advantage, the Baker defense held the MNU Pioneers at bay until, with 62 seconds remaining in regulation, MidAmerica scored on a shot that was deflected past goalkeeper Alex Burton to tie the game at 1-1.

The final 62 seconds ticked off the clock and the game went into overtime.

“It was tough after we got the red card in the first half. They attacked us a lot in the second half,” sophomore Josh Rydberg said.

After two overtime periods, the score was final at 1-1.

Head coach Nate Houser was optimistic about his team’s play, despite what he believed to be a questionable call, resulting in Sinclair’s red card.

“I think we know that, even a man down, we are as good as anybody,” Houser said. “There is no negative for us today other than we were put in a bad position, unfairly.”

Baker is now 6-3-2 on the season and 2-1-1 in conference play.

The Wildcats will be back in action Saturday as they take on Benedictine College at 7:30 in Atchison.

“We are going to set something straight,” Houser said. “There will be a reckoning on Saturday.”