Iowa Wesleyan begins fall sports season

BURLINGTON — The 2020-21 Iowa Wesleyan athletic season kicked off in Burlington Saturday as the Tiger men’s soccer team opened the season against Midland University at Bracewell Stadium. The Tigers fell 1-0.

It was the first NAIA sporting event for Iowa Wesleyan in nine years. The Tigers officially left NCAA Division III over the summer.

The Tiger men were outdone 7-1 in shots on goal in the loss. Midland’s Tomas Pereira had the only score of the game.

Iowa Wesleyan’s offense was led by Carlos Mateo, who had all three of the Tigers’ shots and the only shot on goal.

In net, Alvaro Morera finished the day with four saves.

The Tiger men’s soccer team will play its second game of the year on Tuesday at William Penn. Women’s soccer, volleyball and football will all begin play this week.

Although Saturday’s men’s soccer game was technically the first home game of the year for Iowa Wesleyan, the Tiger volleyball team will be the first squad to play in Mt. Pleasant when they host Monmouth College on Saturday morning.