Junior soccer player
The Baker University men’s soccer team may have lost its chance of an undefeated season, but there is still soccer to be played.
The Wildcats saw their opportunity for an undefeated season come to an end after losing in the Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament championship game 2-1 to MidAmerica Nazarene University.
The Pioneers took an early lead with a goal in the 11th minute of the match, and added one more in the 65th minute. The only goal registered by the Wildcats came on an own goal by MidAmerica Nazarene in the 75th minute.
The ’Cats had opportunities against MNU, as they out-shot the Pioneers 4-0 in the final five minutes of the game and 11-6 overall in the match. The loss moved Baker to 17-1-1 on the season, ending an unbeaten streak of 18 games.
Senior Steven Stewart said he was disappointed about the loss, but even more so that it came at the hands of MidAmerica Nazarene.
“Losing to MidAmerica anytime is never an easy thing to deal with,” Stewart said. “We had a lot of chances. It’s just, we gave up a couple of unfortunate goals.”
Junior Odaine Sinclair chalks it up to being what he calls ‘one of those nights.’
“I think it wasn’t our night,” Sinclair said. “Just wasn’t our night. Couldn’t get it in.”
The Wildcats still have business to attend to, though. After the dust settled from the HAAC tournament, Baker emerged as the No. 3 team in the nation.
The ’Cats will face Oklahoma Wesleyan University Saturday in the opening round of the NAIA tournament.
Baker faced Oklahoma Wesleyan once already this season and beat the Eagles 4-2.
Head coach Nate Houser says it is key for the Wildcats to stay on course.
“It isn’t about them, it’s about us,” Houser said. “Just like it was the first time we played them when they came in here, we have to set the pace we play at. We have to try to attack the areas we want to attack and we have to defend them with everything we have.”
According to Houser, the ’Cats still have a chance to achieve a level of unity on the field that could elevate the team to a very special level of play.
“I think we’ve had individuals get to a very good pace and a very good place in the game,” Houser said. “It’s can we all get on the same song at the same time?”
The Wildcats will take their first step toward a national championship against Oklahoma Wesleyan at 6 p.m. Saturday at Liston Stadium.
