Mustangs earn spot in postseason

LAMONI, Iowa -- Yu Sasaki (JR/Nara, Japan)'s goal in the 77th minute broke a scoreless tie and propelled the Mount Mercy men's soccer team into the Heart of America Athletic Conference postseason tournament with a 1-0 victory over Graceland on Tuesday night at Rasmussen Field.

Itsuki Ishihara (JR/Hyogo, Japan) assisted Sasaki's 12th goal of the season and it held up for the final 13 minutes of regulation. Lucca Munhoz (JR/Sao Paolo, Brazil) and Jose Perez Piqueras (SO/Madrid, Spain) posted the combined shutout with four saves. Stats were nearly even, with the Mustangs holding a 1-shot advantage (14-13). Both teams put five shots on goal.

The win pushed Mount Mercy (5-6-2, 5-5-2 Heart) into the Heart Men's Soccer Championship where they will travel to top-seeded and fifth-ranked Central Methodist (16-1-0, 12-0-0 Heart) in the quarterfinals on Saturday, April 10, in Fayette, Mo. The start time is yet to be determined.