For the third-straight season, the Central Methodist men's soccer team claimed the Heart Tournament title, defeating Missouri Valley College 2-0 Friday afternoon at Davis Field in the championship match. 

The Eagles push their record to a perfect 19-0 entering national tournament play, while Missouri Valley falls to 15-5. 

Central jumped out in front in the opening seven minutes of the match. A turnover at midfield gave the Eagles possession courtesy of senior Billy Nzojyibwami who sent a ball to the near sideline to sophomore Theo Klein, who sent a cross into the box. After a quick touch from Nzojyibwami, the ball found the foot of senior Marcos German who scored to give CMU a 1-0 lead. Despite the Vikings outshooting Central 6-5 in the first half, Central maintained a 1-0 lead into the locker room at halftime. 

CMU found the back of the net in the 63rd minute on a free ball in the box, put in the back of the net by junior Alessandro Salvadego. The goal gave the Eagles a 2-0 lead and Salvadego's 20th goal of the year. 

Central’s backline held the Vikings to only three shots in the second frame, as the Eagles would go on to earn the 2-0 shutout.

CMU finished the afternoon with 15 shots compared to nine for Missouri Valley College. Salvadego and freshman Stefano Campisi led the offense with three shots taken apiece and including two on goal for Campisi. 

Sophomore Stefano Camerlengo started and played the first 80 minutes of the match at goalkeeper, picking up two saves. Freshman Aaron Hoffman played for the final 10 minutes, collecting one save. 

The Eagles, seeded first in the Fayette bracket, will turn their focus to the national tournament, as they will begin competition Thursday, November 18 against Tabor (Kansas) in the opening round at Battle High School in nearby Columbia.