Sophomore Kelvin Omondi's scoring pace continued with his 14th of the year and the No. 18 John Brown University men's soccer team built up a 3-0 lead before half and clinched a share of the program's second-ever regular season title with a 3-0 win over Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas) on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field.
Although the win provided the Golden Eagles (12-2-2, 7-1-1 SAC) at least a share of the title, JBU had one final opportunity to win it outright. That final chance kicked off shortly after JBU's game ended in Oklahoma City in a match between Wayland Baptist (Texas) and the Stars. Unfortunately for John Brown, the Pioneers earned a 4-0 result over OCU, demanding the regular season title be shared between the Golden Eagles and the Pioneers.
Because Wayland defeated JBU 4-3 in extra time in the regular season, WBU claims the top seed in this week's Sooner Athletic tournament. The Golden Eagles will occupy the second seed and open play with Texas Wesleyan on Saturday. Kick-off time has yet to be determined.
The title was the second regular-season crown in program history. Back in 2003, JBU captured its first title, outright, with a 4-1 record.
The SAC's leading scorer struck for his 14th of the season in the 11th minute when Omondi ripped his fifth game-winner of the year off a pretty passing play that began at the back line. Senior Hazeley Pyle earned his first assist of the season when his back-line pass through the middle found sophomore Conner Haney. While Omondi overlapped, Haney sent a perfect pass through SAGU's back line to a streaking Omondi towards the goal. Omondi, in a one-on-one with keeper Matt Crow, sent a low, hard shot for a 1-0 lead. Haney also earned an assist on the play, his sixth of the season.
JBU doubled its lead in the 30th minute of play off a perfect bounce in front of the goal. Sophomore Collin Smith let go a shot from outside the box that rang off the right post, bouncing right to sophomore Giovani Bejarano just yards from the goal. Bejarano tapped in his fifth of the season, doubling John Brown's lead with an insurance goal.
Just before the half came to a close, the hosts took advantage of a free kick from an extreme angle. From about 10 yards out from the goal and just a yard or two removed from the goal line on the right side, sophomore Santiago Vanegas ripped a shot off a SAGU defender and through the hands of Crow.
The second half, while just a formality, saw the hosts out-shoot SAGU (9-7-2, 1-7-1), 7-0, despite the Golden Eagles being unable to score on three shots on target. The majority of the starting lineup earned much needed rest as the reserves accumulated valuable playing time.
Junior Adam Holt needed just one save to earn his 10th shutout of the season. Holt's 10 clean sheets ranks him in a tie for second nationally among all keepers.
Sports on 11/02/2016