Heart of America Athletic Conference play began on Saturday at home for the Park University men's soccer team, as they took on the Clarke University Pride. It was a matchup that saw a heavy dose of physical play, and Clarke ultimately walked away with the 5-2 victory.
This loss was the first of the season for the Pirates, dropping their record to 3-1-1 overall, and 0-1 in the young conference season. Meanwhile, the Pride move to 3-0 on the season and 1-0 in conference play.
Clarke capitalized repeatedly on scoring chances in the opening minutes that saw the Pride open up a 3-0 lead in the first five minutes of game action. Luke Persenico followed a shot that was initially saved by Felipe Ramos Peralta two minutes into the match, and planted the deflection in the back of the net.
Less than a minute later, Persenico scored again after taking advantage of a great assist by Joshua Reddy. Just two minutes after that, Persenico was this time on the assisting end of a goal by Hector Medrano.
At this point, some chippiness started between the two teams that would persist heavily throughout the rest of the game. The two teams picked up eight first half yellow cards and thirteen fouls, with eleven being called on Clarke.
Two more first half goals were scored with Donovan Love extending the Clarke lead to 4-0 at the thirty minute mark, before Jacksyn McIntyre got Park on the board just a minute later to cut the lead to 4-1. Park had a few late first half scoring chances, but could not break through before the halftime break.
The second half saw the Pride lead extended once again to 5-1 at '50 by Daniel Valverde, before Park responded with one last goal at '51 by Marcos Fernandes.
The remainder of the game saw the physical play continue with five more yellow cards and two red cards issued, while twenty second half fouls were committed between both sides.
Park outshot Clarke 29-12 throughout the match with eleven shots on goal, but the Pride were more efficient, converting five out of nine shots on goal into successful scores.
The Pirates will continue conference play on the road in Atchinson, Kansas, facing off against the Benedictine Ravens on Wednesday, September 18. WATCH HERE
Box Score
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