(RV) Baker Pushes Unbeaten Streak to Seven Behind Itadani’s Game-Winner

LAMONI, Iowa - (RV) Baker men's soccer continued its recent tear as one of the hottest teams in the Heart with a hard-fought 1-0 road victory at Graceland on Saturday afternoon, earning its second straight win and extending its unbeaten streak to seven matches.

With limited offensive chances from either side in Lamoni, Iowa, Akira Itadani's goal in the 51st minute served as the lone goal of the conference matchup.

The Wildcats finished with a narrow 9-8 edge in shots and both sides recorded three corner kicks. Itadani led all players with four shots, while five other Wildcats registered one attempt each in a balanced offensive performance.

The first half went by rather quietly with a combined six shots - only two of those landing on target - and one corner kick taken by Baker, who came into the day with three or less corners in just three matches this season.

The decisive moment came in the 51st minute, when Itadani applied pressure in Graceland's defensive half and forced a turnover. He capitalized immediately, skipping a low shot that took a tricky hop in front of the Yellowjackets' keeper and bounced over the line for the lone goal of the match.

It was Itadani's fourth goal of the season, tying him with Noah Conover and Chafik El Idrissi for the team lead.

Baker controlled much of the second half tempo while leaning once again on its defensive consistency. Starting goalkeeper Maxot Arystanov secured his fourth solo shutout of the season and helped anchor a BU defensive unit that now owns seven clean sheets on the year.

Arystanov finished with four saves, including two in the final 15 minutes as Graceland pushed numbers forward in search of an equalizer.

With the win, Baker improves to 9-4-2 overall and 6-3-1 in Heart of America Athletic Conference play, sitting third in the conference standings as the postseason approaches.

During their seven-match unbeaten stretch, the Wildcats have posted six wins and one road draw, hitting their stride at the right time of year.

Baker will be back in action next weekend, returning home to face Clarke on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 3:30 p.m. at Hartley Field.

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