KIRKSVILLE, Mo. - The Truman State University men’s soccer team built a 2-0 halftime lead Saturday and held off a late Northern Kentucky University rally to post a 3-2 victory over the visiting Norse.
Bryan DeFoe and Sean Birrell scored goals in the first half to give Truman State (11-4) a 2-0 lead. NKU’s Jeff Anderson found the back of the net for NKU at the 62:07 mark to cut the deficit to 2-1, but Truman State’s Kevin Barry responded with a goal two minutes later to give the Bulldogs a 3-1 advantage.
Joaquin Palomeque converted a penalty kick at the 82:29 mark to slice Truman State’s lead to 3-2, but the Norse (6-9-2) were unable to score in the final seven minutes. Truman State is ranked No. 25 nationally in the NCAA Division II poll.
NKU will conclude the season at 1 p.m. Sunday with a match at Rockhurst (Mo.) University.
Jeff Anderson