Coe men’s soccer snaps losing skid to Cornell

MOUNT VERNON — Ian Kearney did not know the feeling.

The Coe junior midfielder/forward had never experienced a men’s soccer victory over rival Cornell. In fact, no Kohawk, past or present, had gotten past the Rams on the pitch since 2019.

Coe’s run of rivalry misfortune ended Wednesday.

“It’s a big deal,” said Kearney, whose goal via penalty kick in the 60th minute provided valuable breathing room in Coe’s 2-0 win over Cornell in a non-conference match at Cornell Soccer Field. “This is a good rivalry. We really wanted this win.”

The score was the team-high eighth this season for Kearney, who was discovered by a former member of the Coe coaching staff while playing a youth tournament in his native Las Vegas.

“I decided I liked our little Cedar Rapids,” Kearney said. “It’s been the place for me.”

As for the Iowa winters?

“It’s rough,” Kearney said with a laugh. “Every time I think I’m getting used to it, I’m not.”

Kearney also led the Kohawks in goals with a dozen last season, which earned the Las Vegas native a spot on the American Rivers all-conference team.

“He’s so good,” fifth-year Coe Coach Kyle Bakas said. “He looks like he is ice-skating. He just unbalances guys. Great leader, great attitude and wants to win.”

The victory over Cornell was also a first for Bakas, who led the Kohawks to their first winning season since 2008 last year (8-7-2).

“It’s a strong group,” Bakas said. “A lot of the same guys from last year, so we think there is some maturity and plenty of belief and confidence.”

Coe junior Adam Brada opened the scoring with a goal — his first this season — off a corner kick in the 34th minute. Three minutes before Kearney’s score, goalkeeper Jr. Holland deflected a Cornell penalty kick attempt.

In last season’s Bremner Cup matchup, an early Kearney goal appeared set to hold up, but the Rams found the equalizer with less than four minutes left in the match.

The teams were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw. Cornell had won the previous three meetings from 2021-22.

“We needed a win going into conference,” Bakas said.

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Photos: Coe at Cornell men’s soccer

Cornell (3-6) will return to Midwest Conference play Saturday at Lawrence, while Coe (4-5-1) opens the American Rivers Conference schedule this Saturday with a home match against Wartburg.

“We’ve grown as a team,” Kearney said. “We’re getting older. We started as a young squad and we have just continued to progress. I really think we have a chance to do something special.”

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