OLATHE, Kan. -- Lindenwood won its opening round game of the MIAA tournament 3-1 against Upper Iowa on Thursday night. With the win, the Lions move on to the championship game for the second consecutive year and will take on the Fort Hays State.
Lindenwood scored the first goal of the game in the 22nd minute. Ignacio Romero scored his seventh goal of the season after a shot just inside the box. Ten minutes later, Upper Iowa scored its first and only goal of the game on a penalty shot.
With the game tied at one and the clock dwindling down in the first half, MIAA Player of the Year Mauricio Media scored the eventual game-winning goal with just 27 seconds left in the half.
After the Lions took the lead, the defense settled in. The defense shut down the Peacocks and allowed just three shots in the final 45 minutes. Lindenwood added an insurance goal in the 85th minute when Ithiel Vale scored on a header.
Up next for the Lions is the MIAA championship game against Fort Hays on Saturday.
