Burlington, Iowa – Almost a week after Judson University (14-4-3) defeated St. Xavier (9-12) for the CCAC Championship, the two faced off again in the NAIA Region VII semifinal match in Iowa. In another knock down-drag out match, JU came away with a 3-1 win. Judson now advances to their fourth straight NAIA Region VII Championship match and will face St. Ambrose at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 6th.
Both teams had to face another challenge on the day with a 45 mph wind. SXU had the wind at their back for the first half and took advantage of it in the 21st minute when Sinisa Vidakovic boosted a shot in from the top of the box that curved into the net. The Cougars were out shot by JU, 5-2, but both shots for SXU were on goal with one scoring.
SXU led for most of the match until the final 14 minutes when Judson exploded for three goals in less than seven minutes. JU kept the offensive pressure in the second half by taking 15 shots but could not find the net until late in the match.
Finally, Judson’s patience paid off by scoring three goals in seven minutes. Aduato Oliveira gave the Eagles the spark as he came out of no where to score the first two goals. His first, in the 78th minute, snuck into the goal as he was surrounded by defenders and just slipped it by the goalie on the right side. Just four minutes later, he received the ball from Milos Bajic on a break away and then beat SXU’s Ian Pickett one-on-one for the second goal to make it 2-1. Mark Howlett then made it 3-1 on a penalty kick in the 85th minute for his 14th goal of the year.
The third meeting this season brought less fouls (33) but had two red cards and five yellow cards. JU is now 20-2-3 vs. SXU and won the last six meetings.
In goal, JU's Neil Thompson had two saves while SXU's Ian Pickett recorded five saves. JU out shot 20-2 and held SXU to no shots in the second half.
Judson will now play in their fourth straight NAIA Region VII Tournament Championship match having won the last three. They will face #1 seeded St. Ambrose University as SAU defeated Olivet Nazarene, 5-0. Game time is 1:00 p.m. at the Burlington RecPlex in Burlington, Iowa.
