Fayette, Mo. – The No. 1 Central Methodist men's soccer team clinched back-to-back Heart of America Conference Tournament titles after taking down No. 2 seed Missouri Valley by a final score of 2-0 Saturday evening on Davis Field.
The Eagles improve to 19-1 overall while the Vikings fall to 14-4-1.
In the first half, the Eagles grabbed the early lead with a goal from Alessandro Salvadego. The sophomore forward dribbled into the box and fired the ball past the keeper putting Central up 1-0. For the rest of the half, CMU's defense held the Vikings to only three total shots.
CMU was quick once again in the second half, as Alessandro Lacerti found Theo Klein as was cutting into the middle of the box, hitting a perfect shot into the top right corner of the goalkeeper. Down two goals, the Vikings had to elevate their intensity and attempt a comeback. MVC took 10 shots in the second half but none of them found the back of the net, as the Eagle's held on for their 19th win of the season.
Salvadego led the team with three shots and one goal in a little under 16 minutes of action. Jonathan Gibula and Lacerti added two shots apiece, with Lacerti also recording an assist. Tom Irion, Theo Klein, Markus Esko and Riccardo Sandulli all added one shot on goal, with Klein's shot finding the back of the net.
Stefano Camerlengo and Bosco Pery each played 45 minutes in goal, Pery recorded two saves during the second half.
CMU and MVC will now turn their focus to the NAIA National Championship which is set to begin on Thursday, April 22. The selection show will air Monday, April 19 at 12:00 .m. on the Play NAIA Facebook which will determine where CMU will play in the Opening Round.
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