Morningside advances to championship match

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — The Morningside men's soccer team wanted to set the tone early on Friday in a GPAC quarterfinal against Mount Marty. Gustavo Dos Santos provided that spark.

Dos Santos scored the first of four Mustang goals Friday en route to a 4-0 victory over the Lancers, and with the win, the Mustangs (12-6-2) are back in the conference championship match for the second straight year.

Dos Santos scored at the 3-minute, 41-second mark on an assist from Jordan Bickel from the right side. Once he knew the ball crossed the goal line, Dos Santos knew the Mustangs were in business.

"I think starting out strong is what we were missing the last couple games," Dos Santos said. "It was amazing that we could set the tone straight away. We were there to win the game. We hoped all week we could start strong, and that's what we did."

Morningside scored all four of its goals in the first 45 minutes. Lucas De Souza scored in the 21st minute unassisted, while Elis Olden and Bennet Buchwald scored goals in the 42nd and 45th minutes, respectively. The Mustangs outshot the Lancers, 15-9.

"It was easier on us mentally," Dos Santos said of scoring early and often. "I love to attack. It's more fun, and it's very rewarding to score."

Tim Teschner and Timon Koerber earned the clean sheet in goal. Koerber had three saves in the first half.

Morningside advances to Tuesday's championship match at 7 p.m. against Concordia, which beat Briar Cliff to advance.

"That's all we wanted the entire season," Dos Santos said.