MEN’S SOCCER

The 13th-seeded Huntington men’s soccer team bowed out of the NAIA National Tournament in the second round by way of a 6-1 loss to unseeded MidAmerica Nazarene Saturday afternoon at Pioneer Field.

It was a lethal combination for the guests with six goals proving the most goals scored by the Pioneers this season while it was also the most goals given up by the Foresters this fall. Call it home field advantage or tournament experience for the defending national champs, the Pioneers scored their first goal 20 minutes in and there was no turning back after that.

It was a 2-0 difference by the midway point, but MNU struck again 24 seconds into the second half before HU final got one back in the 59th minute when Colton Foster crossed a ball in the box to Joao Ratinho who pounced on the opportunity to find back netting. The hosts went on to score three more times in the final 20 minutes to make for the lopsided affair.

MidAmerica (10-5-4) ended up firing 23 shots, 15 on frame, to HU’s 16, half of which were on target, while corner kicks were a wash with each team tallying five.

Dan Pellegrine took the loss in goal having collected nine saves in the losing effort.

It was the first time the Foresters have made it to the big dance since 2019. A Crossroads League regular season title also highlighted HU’s season as they wrap up the year with a 13-6-2 record.