Briar Cliff subdues Mustangs in GPAC tournament finale

SIOUX CITY, IOWA – Another epic edition of the crosstown collision between Morningside College and Briar Cliff University was etched in the series history Saturday, April 17.

Battling across the FieldTurf at Elwood Olsen Stadium for 90 minutes that had the fans in attendance on the edges of their seats, the Chargers and Mustangs allowed just one goal between them with impressive defense at nearly every turn. The lone score came off a rebound for the visiting team that BCU's Marcus Horwood deposited in the left corner of the home net.

Head coach Tom Maxon's squad, looking to bookend a Great Plains Athletic Conference tournament championship with their regular-season title, had opportunities to knot up their home scoreboard, especially in the waning moments. A pair of corner kicks off the foot of junior midfielder Moritz Lusch (JR/Bielefield, Germany) (Bielefield, Germany) put the ball in front of the visiting frame, but, in each case, Briar Cliff's defense managed to clear it away. The second attempt was incredibly close, as three Mside players fired away with two defensive saves and one keeper save being made.

The Mustangs, dipping to 15-4-1, turned in eight shot tries with two on goal. Freshman midfielder Victor Beker (FR/Amsterdam, Netherlands) (Amsterdam, Netherlands) led the attack, with three of which one was on goal. Sophomore goalkeeper Bjarne Huth (SO/Bad Vilbel, Germany) (Bad Vilbel, Germany) kept Morningside close throughout with seven saves.

Morningside now awaits its placement in the 2020 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' championship series. The revelation show is scheduled for Monday. April 19.