Men's soccer breaks tie, defeats SAGU

Photo submitted John Brown University junior Ryan Williams turns up field with the ball during Thursday’s 3-1 win at Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas).
Photo submitted John Brown University junior Ryan Williams turns up field with the ball during Thursday’s 3-1 win at Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas).

WAXAHACHIE, Texas -- Despite a difficult playing surface, the John Brown University men's soccer team scored two goals in the second half to erase a 1-1 tie and grab a 3-1 win at Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas), its fifth-consecutive, on Thursday afternoon at Lions Field.

Sporting a 14-6 shooting advantage in the match, SAGU (1-5-2, 0-1-0 Sooner Athletic) managed to tie the match at one apiece in the 54th minute on a Chidara Mazvita goal, his fourth of the season.

Not to be dismayed, the Golden Eagles (5-3-0, 1-0-0) regrouped, and scored in the next minute when junior Kelvin Omondi single-handedly dribbled through the Lion back line and ripped an eight-yard shot past SAGU keeper Edgar Chavez for the game-winner, his fourth of the season, and his eighth tally overall.

For good measure, junior David Moots headed in his first collegiate goal when he redirected a Ryan Williams cross from six yards out in the 77th minute, handing the visitors an insurance marker. The helper was Williams' fifth assist.

Junior Conner Haney accounted for the lone tally of the first half. In the 26th minute, Haney's second of the season fooled Chavez and took an odd bounce before trickling in from 22 yards out.

Holt (5-3-0) picked up the win, saving two of the three on target SAGU sent his way. Chavez was dinged with the loss, dropping to 1-5-2 on the year.

"We struggled to adapt to the surface, as well as being patient against low pressure from SAGU," admitted head coach Brenton Benware. "I'm proud of our effort to fight through those elements, however, and securing our first conference win of the season."

The Golden Eagles returned to action at Texas Wesleyan on Saturday. Results were not available at presstime. The Golden Eagles play next at 7 p.m. Thursday at home against Wayland Baptist (Texas).

Sports on 10/01/2017