OLATHE, Kan. – The dramatics were in full effect at Pioneer Field on Monday afternoon as freshman forward Federico Palacios netted his first career goal with 24 seconds left to help guide the No. 6 MACU men's soccer team to a 2-2 draw with No. 15 MidAmerica Nazarene.
 
SCORING SUMMARY

• 1^st Half – 32:07 – MNU – Goal: Rick Hovinga (1), Assist: Nicolas Theberge – MNU 1, MACU 0
• 2^nd Half – 67:13 – MNU – Goal: Preston McKay (2), Assist: Tom Chartier – MNU 2, MACU 0
• 2^nd Half – 76:42 – MACU – Goal: Phil Appelt (1), Assist: Yasha Schaerer – MNU 2, MACU 1
• 2^nd Half – 89:36 – MACU – Goal: Federico Palacios (1) – MACU 2, MNU 2

MATCH SUMMARY

• Mid-America Christian (4-0-1) had the best first chance at a go-ahead goal in the eighth minute when a MidAmerica Nazarene (2-0-2) foul about 10-yards left of the penalty box set the Evangels up in prime position. Yasha Schaerer put a pinpoint cross to Kareem Williams breaking toward the middle, but the Evangels defender placed his shot too far wide left, hitting the out edge of the post to roll out for a goal kick.
• In the 33^rd minute, MidAmerica Nazarene captured the advantage when Nicolas Theberge was able to get free on a deep send from the defensive backfield toward the left post, crossing it into Rick Hovinga for a point-blank put-in, sending the Pioneers into the half with the 1-nil edge.
• With both teams struggling to get opportunities on-goal in the second half, The Evangels had a great opportunity off a corner kick. After taking a short corner, a Schaerer pass to a wide open Jack Price near the top of the 18-yard box allowed him to diagonal a pass to Williams sitting right post. However, his deflected shot went right into the sliding keeper Tobias Stirl for the save, keeping it to a tie game in the 66^th minute.
• Two minutes later, MidAmerica Nazarene picked up a crucial insurance goal at the 67:13 mark when Tom Chartier crossed it from the right side toward the left end of the box, as Preston McKay rifled a 16-yarder with excellent accuracy into the top left corner to extend the Pioneers edge to 2-nil.
• The Evangels were able to get a goal back in the 77^th minute when a stellar right side corner kick bounced through the box to Phil Appelt waiting on the left side, launching a rocket half-volley shot toward the right post for his first MACU goal, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
• In the 79^th minute, Javier Ceballos made a sensational save on a breakaway attempt by Nicolas Theberge before the follow-up shot was blocked, keeping it to a one-goal contest.
• With time winding down in the final minute, it was the freshman striker's time to shine. Dribbling through two defenders on the right side, Palacios lofted a 25-yarder all the way over to the top left corner, forcing the Evangels into a 2-all draw.

MATCH NOTES

• While Mid-America Christian held a commanding 18-10 shot advantage over MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.), the Evangels struggled to place attempts on-target as MACU placed four shots on-goal to three for the Pioneers.
• Phil Appelt and Feredico Palacios each scored their first career goals for MACU while Yasha Schaerer's assist is also his first of his Evangels career.
• Diego Real led the MACU offensive attack with five shot attempts.
• By forcing a draw against the Pioneers, the Evangels closed out their three-game stand of facing NAIA Top 25 opponents with an unblemished 2-0-1 record.

UP NEXT

• Mid-America Christian will now have an extended break as the Evangels will have a 10-day break before facing off against Arizona Christian at the Dill Soccer Field for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff on Sept. 14.