JBU men upset Stars in SAC tourney

n The match ended in a shootout after a scoreless regulation and extra time.

Photo courtesy of JBU Sports Information John Brown University's Steve Teshima goes up against a Science and Arts (Okla.) player during Tuesday's match in Chickasha, Okla.
Photo courtesy of JBU Sports Information John Brown University's Steve Teshima goes up against a Science and Arts (Okla.) player during Tuesday's match in Chickasha, Okla.

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The John Brown University men's soccer team converted all four shootout chances after 110 minutes had elapsed, and the sixth-seeded Golden Eagles (8-8-2) rode senior Adam Holt's four-save effort to advance past third-seeded Oklahoma City 0-0 (4-2 penalty kicks) in the Sooner Athletic Conference quarterfinals on Thursday night at Stars Field.

After surrendering a late 1-0 advantage and taking a difficult 2-1 double-overtime loss to the Stars -- who finish its season at 14-3-2 -- just nine days prior on Oct. 24, the staunch JBU back line held City off the scoreboard for just the second time this season on its home turf.

While the match technically ended in a draw, a winner had to be decided to advance to the tournament semifinals. This is where the sharp-shooting Golden Eagles showed off.

City missed its first opportunity high, while junior Ryan Williams, junior Santiago Vanegas and senior Steve Teshima netted three consecutive opportunities, forcing the hosts to convert on its fourth chance or face elimination.

The fourth Oklahoma City chance hit the right post square on, despite Holt guessing the correct direction, allowing one more conversion for the visitors to clinch its fourth-consecutive appearance in the SAC tournament semifinals.

Sophomore Joao Silva stepped up and deposited a shot past OCU keeper Vladimir Kalajdzic, ending City's season and prolonging the John Brown effort to return to the NAIA National Championships by another match.

"Our guys have fought so hard all year and had some unfortunate endings to tight games," head coach Brenton Benware said after his first postseason appearance at the helm of the program. "It was great to see them dig deep, pull out a shutout and ultimately get a hard-fought result."

Kalajdzic turned aside seven JBU shots on target through 110 minutes of play. Holt picked up his second clean sheet of the season.

While John Brown held a 7-4 shooting advantage through the first 45 minutes, the Stars responded with a 9-5 margin through the final 65 minutes of play. Aboubakr Diallo led all players with six attempts while junior Kelvin Omondi paced the JBU offense with five shots.

The Golden Eagles will now advance to take on second-seeded Southwestern Christian (Okla.) on Monday at the Cagle Family Field. Kick-off is slated for a 2 p.m. start time. The Eagles bested John Brown 2-0 on Oct. 28 at Alumni Field.

USAO 3, John Brown 2

CHICKASHA, Okla. -- Just before extra time was required, Science and Arts (Okla.) netted the game-winner with two minutes left, sending the John Brown University men's soccer team to a 3-2 setback in the regular-season finale on Tuesday evening at Drover Pitch.

Sophomore Benard Mwangi netted his first of the season in the first half and junior Ryan Williams scored in the second half, both goals giving the Golden Eagles (4-5-1 Sooner Athletic) the lead, but consecutive second-half goals allowed was too much to overcome.

The host Drovers (12-5-1, 7-3-0) outshot JBU 23-10 on the evening, earning goals from Hugo Medrano, Owen Connelly and Dax Hampton. Connelly tied the game at two in the 56th minute before Hampton's game winner with just over 90 seconds to play.

Sports on 11/05/2017