Mustangs' defense bullies Bellevue in draw

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Morningside goalkeeper Moriah Dixson stepped into a high-leverage moment Saturday and didn't flinch.

In the 85th minute of a scoreless draw with Bellevue, the Bruins earned a penalty kick. Dixson stood on the goal line, waiting for Bellevue's Aileen Perez to step up.

"You just have to be very composed," Dixson said. "You have to read the cues, but I gave it 100 percent and celebrated with my team."

Dixson noticed Perez glancing to her right before the kick and guessed correctly. She dove left, got a hand on the ball, and pushed it out of play to preserve the tie. Teammates swarmed her after the stop, which helped secure the Mustangs' third draw of the season.

"It feels amazing when you stop a penalty kick," Dixson said. "The team rushed at me, and it was a really amazing feeling."

The Mustangs (2-0-3) are 2-for-2 defending penalty kicks this fall and have yet to concede a goal. It was their second 0-0 draw, following an Aug. 30 result against Grand View. Opponents have taken 18 shots on target, and none have found the back of the net. Back in 2024, Morningside allowed just one goal in its first four matches.

"We have a really solid back line," associate head coach Jackie Martinez said. "They caught on much quicker than perhaps in past years. That comes with experience. They're good leaders for us."

On offense, Melissa Tsatiris, Tuva Hammarlund and Tove Schill each put shots on frame as the Mustangs finished with six attempts.

Morningside is idle until Sept. 13, when it travels to Judson in Elgin, Illinois. The Mustangs return home Sept. 20 for an 8 p.m. match against Hastings.