MVNU (15-2-2), which is ranked a program-best No. 22 in the most recent NAIA poll, took an early 1-0 lead 15:30 into the match when senior forward Adam Worrall beat a defender up the left side of the field and then laid off a pass to freshman forward Chris Allen (left) right in front of the goal. Allen ripped a shot into the back of the net for his sixth goal of the season with Worrall notching his team-leading ninth assist.

The visiting Red Storm (15-3-1), who are ranked No. 5 in the latest NAIA poll and have made seven straight trips to the NAIA National Tournament, finished the first half with a 6-3 lead in total shots and a 4-3 edge in shots on goal. However, the Cougars’ defense withstood the attack with junior goalkeeper Alex Stout coming up with four saves including one diving, highlight-reel stop that had him fully horizontal to the ground to deny the Rio Grande attempt as MVNU went to the half protecting the 1-0 lead.

The second half was much of the same as the Red Storm launched seven shots including three on goal to try to equalize. Once again, Stout and the Cougars’ back line proved to be up to the task as each offensive foray was turned away successfully.

MVNU nearly tacked on an insurance goal in the closing seconds when sophomore midfielder Cody Snouffer was tackled by Rio Grande goalkeeper Nate Walzer in the box on a breakaway attempt and still managed to get a shot off that was just knocked wide. Worrall was unable to convert the ensuing penalty kick, but with only eight seconds remaining in the match the victory celebration began as the Cougars snapped a 20-match winless streak against Rio Grande (0-17-3) dating back to a 3-2 win in 1989 - the year before MVNU head coach Paul Furey took over at the helm for the Cougars. The victory also broke the school record for most consecutive wins set previously at nine in 1984 as this year’s team notched its tenth straight victory.

“In order for us to win a match like this, your goalkeeper has to make some big saves,” said Furey. “That is what we asked Alex to do and that is exactly what he did. He came up with two or three phenomenal saves, played solid in the air, and made a lot of good decisions. That was certainly a key for us. I am really happy that he is having such a tremendous year.”

“Our back line has received a lot of respect and recognition and after a match like this you can tell why because they play with such a tough mentality that the opponents are not going to get in behind us,” said Furey. “We are tough in the air, we win balls, we make good decisions, and we cover for one another. We do a lot of things that make us very tough to beat and that was certainly the case today.”

“Our midfield gave us a tremendous work rate,” Furey continued. “They got banged up in a very physical match, but they left it all on the field for us. Our forwards did what we needed them to do. Adam has created goals for us all year and he gave Chris a great ball and Chris was in the right spot and knocked it home. I liked the energy of our reserve players, too, as they were into the match the whole time. Overall, it was just a great win against a great team.”

Stout (right) finished with six saves in posting his 11th shutout of the season and the 23rd of his career - extending his school records in both categories. Snouffer also cleared one ball off the line with a header to preserve the shutout. Meanwhile, Walzer posted four saves for Rio Grande including stopping one penalty kick. The Red Storm held a 13-6 lead in total shots, a 7-5 edge in shots on goal, and an 8-0 margin in corner kicks.

“This was such a great team win today,” said Furey. “This sets us up for an opportunity to earn a berth in the NAIA National Tournament on Saturday. These guys have been a special group all year and it is quite an accomplishment to knock off the No. 5 team in the country. We have always respected Rio Grande. They are well-respected nationally and this is a match that we always get up for because they are that good of a team. We have come close a number of times over the past 19 years, but this time we were finally able to come out on top.”

The Cougars, who improved to 4-0-1 this season when playing against current Top 25 teams, will now advance to the AMC Tournament championship match on Saturday for the first time in school history as MVNU will travel to Notre Dame College for a 4:00 p.m. start at Brush High School's Korb Field. Ironically, the Cougars last loss came to the Falcons back on September 24 by the score of 2-1 at Cougar Field.  Notre Dame went on to win the AMC regular-season title with a perfect 11-0 conference mark and is ranked No. 3 in the latest NAIA poll.  Since the Falcons have already secured an automatic berth into the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round on November 22 as the AMC regular-season champs, MVNU is also now guaranteed a spot in the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round regardless of the outcome of Saturday's match since the AMC gets two automatic berths.  Rio Grande is still in the running for an at-large berth as well due to their high national ranking and LONGO.