MIDWAY, Ky. -- Following a tough 5-3 loss to St. Mary-of-the-Woods (Ind.) earlier in the week, the Midway men's soccer team bounced back and picked up their first River States Conference win of the year on Saturday (Sept. 28) against IU East (Ind.).

The Eagles grabbed the early 1-0 lead in the 14th minute and carried that lead through the remainder of the first half. IU East netted an equalizer in the 63rd minute, but Midway scored what would be the game-winner in the 80th minute sealing the 2-1 victory.

With the win, Tim Wolz's squad improves to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in River States Conference play, while IU East drops to 0-8-1 overall and 0-1 in league play.

IU East pressured the Midway defense in the early stages of the match, but Hunter Caudill (Winchester, Ky.) and the Midway defense stood tall and kept IU East off the scoreboard.

After withstanding the pressure, the Eagles began to apply pressure of their own. That pressure paid off in the 14th minute when they caused a turnover just outside the box. Drew Blaydes – a native of Midway, Ky. – gathered possession before firing a shot from 25 yards out that sailed over the goalie and into the back of the net giving his team the 1-0 advantage.

The Eagles would have numerous chances to add to their lead, but never could get their timing down. They put two shots on frame, while they had plenty of others that either sailed high or wide. The 1-0 lead, however, would stand until intermission.

After Midway misfired on another scoring opportunity early in the second half, the Red Wolves put home an equalizer. Alex Knight headed home the equalizer in the 63rd minute following a corner kick.

Midway's Thomas Sidebottom (Bardstown, Ky.) had a one-on-one with the IU East goalkeeper in the 74th minute, but his shot just slipped wide as the game remained tied at one goal apiece.

The tie would stand until the 80th minute when the home team scored what turned out to be the game-winner. Evan Sakamaki (Floyds Knobs, Ind.) made his way down field with the reigning Player of the Week – Unaiz Shajani (Nairobi, Kenya) – running on his left.

Sakamaki slid the ball by an IU East defender to Shajani who took one touch before sliding his shot by the keeper and into the back of the net giving his team the 2-1 lead.

Midway would be forced to survive some tense moments in the final 9:03, but their defense stood tall and held on for the victory.

Hunter Caudill picked up the win for the Eagles improving to 3-2 as he made nine crucial saves in the victory.

The Eagles are now scheduled to return to action on Thursday (Sept. 23) when they travel to Wilmore, Ky. to battle Asbury (Ky.) at 5 p.m. ET.

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