It took John Brown University just 36 seconds to answer Science and Arts of Oklahoma's first goal on Tuesday.
But the Golden Eagles couldn't find a response for the Drovers' second goal.
Science and Arts scored both its goals on set pieces, and the Drovers stunned the No. 18 Golden Eagles 2-1 in the semifinals of the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament at Alumni Field.
The loss was a devastating blow to the Golden Eagles' hopes of getting in the NAIA National Tournament. JBU (13-3-2, 7-1-1 SAC) finished the regular season as co-champions of the Sooner Athletic Conference along with Wayland Baptist, but only the winner of the SAC Tournament receives an automatic bid to the national tournament.
It's still possible for JBU to receive an at-large berth, but that won't be known until next week.
"There's a chance," said JBU coach Scott Marksberry. "The at-large system in NAIA soccer is pretty tough. There's only six for the whole nation. So yeah, there's still a chance."
The Golden Eagles defeated Science and Arts 5-0 at Alumni Field on Oct. 15, but Tuesday's match played out much differently from the start.
The Drovers (12-7-1) took the lead midway through the sixth minute when Owen Connelly's free kick into a crowded box found the head of Llewellyn Evans for a 1-0 lead.
JBU answered quickly though. Steve Teshima corralled a rebound of a shot from Conner Haney to tie the match 1-1.
The match remained tied until the 29th minute when Connelly's corner kick connected with Brodi Keefe, who connected into the far left post for what would be the match-winner.
JBU had a few chances after that and actually outshot the Drovers 12-11, but goalkeeper Austen Parker came up with three saves, including a rocket off the foot of Sooner Athletic Conference Player of the Year Kelvin Omondi in the 72nd minute.
Marksberry said Science and Arts came in with a game plan to play strong defense and try and get a lead.
"They defended well," Marksberry said of the Drovers. "They stayed organized. They competed hard. They got two goals on set pieces.
"I think when it's two set pieces in a single game, that just starts to get in your head. They're not creating goals. We're just kind of giving them goals. They're scoring on little mistakes that we're making."
Science and Arts coach Jimmy Hampton said the Drovers learned a lot from their last meeting with JBU.
"I would say they more than handled us earlier in the year," Hampton said. "It was a lesson, an old-fashioned woodshed lesson when we came down here last time. You know you also learn that the game is a process, the season's a process. We learned a lot of things. They're talented. You know you don't have to play them a lot of times, but we knew we only needed to beat them once."
Science and Arts advanced to the finals on Saturday against Wayland Baptist, which defeated Southwestern Christian in penalty kicks on Tuesday in the other semifinal.
JBU, meanwhile, will be forced to sit and wait on their fate.
"We'll take (Wednesday) and start to examine what's happening out in the nation," Marksberry said. "We'll get a pretty good picture of how other conference tournaments and things go. We'll keep the guys together for sure."
Sports on 11/13/2016