MVC soccer: Vikings win shootout in HAAC tourney

The Vikings tied the match late in the first half when senior Carlos Arribas converted a penalty kick.
(Chris Allen/Democrat-News)

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For a soccer goalkeeper facing at a shooter only a few paces in front of him with the season on the line, there is no greater pressure.

"I have to get the ball, not just for me, but my teammates, my family, my coach" is what Missouri Valley College's Igor Lima thought moments before he came up with a stop on Graceland's fifth and final shoot-out attempt -- giving the Vikings a 2-1 victory in the Heart of America Conference Tournament semifinal round Wednesday at Reed Kepner Memorial Field.

So it was that the senior from San Paolo, Brazil, ended Veteran's Day appropriately, being carried around the field in triumph by a throng of jubilant players and fans.

"The guys have fought all season," remarked MVC head coach Vladimir Simic. "It's just huge confidence."

Mind you, the Valley men have had no post-season appearances during Simic's four years -- and many more before that -- and are coming off a mediocre 6-11-1 campaign in 2008 that left them in seventh place and out of the HAAC playoffs.

This season, the Vikings finished second in the league to receive a first-round bye and a home match, although even playing 14th-ranked Baker to a draw last month didn't get them more than a smattering of votes in the NAIA poll. They still have plenty to prove.

Valley, though, couldn't crank up an offense that was third in the conference in scoring average until the second half, and then couldn't find the mark.

The Yellowjackets scored in the 39th minute when Lima swatted away freshman Roger Thompson's long drive, only to have sophomore Brady Blankenship get to the ball first and stick it in the net.

The Vikings got the opportunity to tie two minutes later when freshman Ivan Tolic was taken down in the box by a Graceland defender and was awarded a penalty kick, which senior Carlos Arriba stuck in the lower left corner.

Still, Valley was out-shot 10-5 in the half, including 4-1 in shots on goal.

"We couldn't connect in the midfield," Simic explained. "They were pressing real hard. We knew they couldn't keep that up all game."

Due to a stellar performance by sophomore Angel Gomez Micha, in particular, the Vikings took command of the center after intermission -- although a close-range free kick provided a momentary scare in the first minute.

Junior Ryan Pow, sophomore David Flores, sophomore Eduardo Da Silva and Arriba all had shots of varying difficulty during the period, but couldn't punch it in.

Graceland got the only shot on goal during the first 10-minute overtime period, but senior Stefan De Las' boot was from too far away to pose a serious threat. However, things heated up during the second OT.

Two minutes in, senior Edson Edward crossed to Thompson, whose 22-yard kick was wide to the right. The Yellow jackets (10-7-1) didn't get another chance and Pow made a charge for Valley in the closing 30 seconds.

While Pow couldn't get a good foot on the ball, he kept it alive near the crease. Da Silva was closest to it, but he was brought down from behind as he unloaded a high shot. Officials who had been whistling similar infractions all match were silent this time.

Valley never trailed in the shoot-out. Arribas connected first, but Lima blocked De Las' shot. Up 2-1, the Vikings missed when freshman Lewis Walker hit the post. Both teams made their next two shots, Pow's making it 4-3, so it came down to Lima against Graceland junior Orrin Branker.

"He was looking to the left all the time, so I knew he'd shoot on the other side," Lima said.

So Branker did, a low blast which required only a short dive for Lima to smother -- as thoroughly as he was mobbed, then hoisted, seconds later.

Next up for Valley (11-4-4) will be the title match, and the possibility for its first trip ever to the NAIA Championships, at home Friday against Lindenwood -- which upset No. 10 Benedictine, 1-0.

"This means everything, we all work so hard," Lima declared. "This has become our lives.

"This is our family."