UNK soccer tied both home games against Missouri Western and Missouri Northwest last weekend.
Ivana Siles, a junior international student from Bolivia, made the game-tying goal Friday and immediately teared up and ran to the sideline for a hug from coach Rob Breton.
“Sometimes for international players there’s just a different level of pressure that comes with them being here,” Breton said. “(She) and I have talked every day about where she can grow. So just seeing that weight off her shoulders from the goal, it just hit home for both of us because we were very excited that she finally got the goal she’s worked for.”
This is the second year in a row that UNK has tied with Missouri Western.
Missouri Western scored 35 minutes into the first half.
The Lopers had multiple opportunities to score, including a header from junior Jacylan Doering off a corner kick, but it was saved by the goalkeeper.
With under two minutes to go in the half, sophomore Reagan Downes had a chance to tie the game with a penalty kick. However, it was sent right into the goalkeeper’s hands.
With 12 minutes left in the second half, Downes crossed the ball in front of the goal when Siles rushed in, sending it into the back of the net.
It was Siles’s first goal as a Loper.
“I play more with my heart and so much passion,” Siles said. “I feel like the expectations about my performance were so high, so I was putting a lot of pressure on myself.”
UNK had 10 shots that game, outshooting Missouri Western.
Sunday afternoon’s game against Northwest Missouri was a scrappy match until it ended scoreless for both teams.
In the 50th minute, there were back-to-back fouls against both teams, followed by a yellow card to Northwest’s coach on the sideline.
Later in the second half, there was a foul in the box by Downes, giving Northwest a chance to take the lead with a penalty kick. However, it missed left of the goal.
With just under six minutes left of the game, Siles got a yellow card after a foul in the middle of the field.
UNK was able to get the ball back shortly after and get two more shots off before the final whistle.
No matter how physical the game got, Breton reminded the team to never back down and hold your ground.
“We’re just as capable of being as physical if not more physical than every team in the conference,” said Breton. “We want to be able to say, ‘OK, whatever tone you want to set for the game, we’re willing to match it.’”
