Wildcats Stay in Heart Title Hunt with 2-1 Road Win at (RV) Central Methodist

FAYETTE, Mo. - (RV) Baker men's soccer added another signature road victory to its late-season surge, edging fellow fringe top-25 team (RV) Central Methodist, 2-1, on Wednesday night in the Wildcats' final road match of the regular season.

The win stretched Baker's unbeaten streak to nine matches, a run that includes four straight victories to go along with a separate four-match win streak with only a 1-1 road draw at Park in between.

The Wildcats improved to 11-4-2 overall and 8-3-1 in Heart play, while finishing their road regular season slate with an impressive 7-3-1 record away from home. BU now enters the weekend with a chance to clinch the Heart regular-season title with a win Saturday and a loss or tie from No. 13 Grand View, who sits atop the conference at 8-2-2 and defeated the Wildcats earlier this season to hold the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Parker Hurla opened the scoring in the 27th minute with his fourth goal of the year, capitalizing on a perfectly placed long ball from Adrian Valencia. Hurla split two defenders and sprinted onto the pass for a flick finish that gave Baker the early edge.

With the score still 1-0, Chafik El Idrissi delivered a highlight-reel moment in the 54th minute, unleashing a spectacular strike from more than 50 yards out that sailed over the CMU keeper's outstretched hand for a crucial 2-0 cushion.

It marked El Idrissi's seventh goal of the season and his second straight match finding the back of the net, as the Moroccan forward has now totaled six goals over his last six outings.

Central Methodist broke Baker's recent defensive shutout streak in the 73rd minute on a one-touch goal after a sharp passing sequence, snapping BU's run of back-to-back clean sheets. The Wildcats had gone more than 180 minutes without conceding since allowing their last goal in the 25th minute at Missouri Baptist two weeks ago.

The Eagles pressed late with an 11-4 shot advantage in the second half and a 7-1 edge in corner kicks for the match, but Baker goalkeeper Maxot Arystanov stood tall with five second-half saves to preserve the lead.

The Wildcats managed five total shots in the first half and three after halftime while defending their narrow advantage through the closing whistle.

Baker now returns home to Hartley Field on Saturday, November 1, for the regular-season finale against Missouri Valley, where a win combined with a Grand View loss or tie at No. 16 William Penn would deliver the Wildcats their first Heart of America Conference regular-season title since 2017.

Saturday's Senior Night matchup is set to start at 7:30 p.m. in Baldwin City.

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