KIRKSVILLE, Mo.—The Truman Men's Soccer team opened the 2021 fall season this Sunday at home against Upper Iowa—squaring off with the Peacocks for the first time in eight seasons. The Peacocks were able to snap a three game Bulldog winning streak in the series as the visiting Peacocks won 2-1.
Upper Iowa got on the board early as in the 8th minute Alan Dunlop hit a long pass over the Truman defense to Tate Lofdahl who managed to stay onside and lifted it over the diving Evan Witte and into the net. Just a few minutes later, Dom DeProspero had an opportunity to even it up from the left side of the net as the keeper had come out to make a play and the ball rolled to DeProspero's foot, but the shot hit the side of the post and rolled out of play. Truman had good pressure early in the first half but was unable to cash in until Sam Newton hit a free kick over the wall of UIU defenders and past the keeper into the top right corner in the 38th minute to even it up.
Early in the second half, Truman had a chance to take the lead as Adam Shine shot from the left side and aimed to lift over the keeper's head, but Peacock keeper Alejo Prieto made a backwards diving stop to keep the game at one. Finally, in the 63rd minute, Upper Iowa got back on the board as Italo Martins Soares got around the Truman defense and scored the go ahead goal. Late in the game Thomas Weber tested Prieto but the UIU keeper was up to the task and kept the ball out of the net.
In his first Truman start, Witte made four saves. For the second time in his career, Newton bagged a goal off a set piece in the season opener.
The Bulldogs will be back in action on Wednesday as they take on Central Methodist. Kickoff is at 4 p.m.
