by Noah Grant/Sports Director/@noahgrant_23

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The St. Cloud State men’s soccer team earned a 2-1 victory over the UI-Springfield Prairie Stars on Saturday. The victory snapped a three match losing streak for the Huskies, who scored in the first six minutes of each half. 

In the first half, the Huskies showed good ball movement and pressure in the attacking third and were rewarded with a corner kick. Off the set piece, junior Kingsley Kanu’s corner was headed up in the air by a Prairie Stars defender. Graduate student Andres Garcia was able to get the next touch, heading the ball into the net for his fourth goal of the season.

St. Cloud State kept the momentum and seemed in control for most of the half. The game would change quickly, however, in the 40th minute. Huskies sophomore keeper Erik Willke came almost 40 yards out to try to clear a loose ball and turned it over. Springfield’s Robin Lemke Bergseth was the benefactor and made no mistake, finding the back of the net to tie the score. 

In the second half, the Huskies would again begin on the attack. After another corner, the ball came to junior Johan Lopez. He found Kanu on the left side of the penalty area, and Kanu was able to beat the Prairie Stars keeper for the go-ahead goal. 

It was Kanu’s first goal of the season and third point of the match after his assist in the first half. 

The Prairie Stars would search for another equalizer but couldn’t find a response. Willke was tested with around 10 minutes to go and made a nice save to keep the score 2-1. 

St. Cloud State now sits at 2-3-0 on the season as they head into conference play. Their first GLIAC match will be on Thursday as the Huskies welcome in Purdue Northwest. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. from Husky Stadium. 

Photo credit: SCSU Athletics