In what was billed as one of the most pivotal matchups in Sooner Athletic Conference play this season, the John Brown University men's soccer team found itself in card trouble and took a 4-0 loss to No. 22 Wayland Baptist (Texas) on Thursday evening at Alumni Field.
Plagued by seven cards, including a pair of reds, the Golden Eagles (5-4-1, 1-1-1 SAC) battled through allowing a penalty kick conversion in the 39th minute only to see the Pioneers (9-1-0, 3-0-0) scored a trio of goals in under three minutes in the second half to run away with the victory.
Cooper Gaypia had a goal and an assist while James Quinn scored the game-winner when the JBU defense was whistled on a foul inside the box as a Pioneer corner kick was to be delivered.
Gaypia played a ball to Raheem Fleming in the box from the left wing in the 54th minute, which Fleming knocked into the side netting on his backside, doubling the visitor lead.
Just more than a minute later, Nick Ramos blasted an 18-yard shot that was stopped by senior Adam Holt, but Gaypia was waiting on the doorstep, finishing his sixth goal of the season.
Ricardo Ramos ended the scoring when his rush up the left wing off a JBU defensive turnover ended with a cut into the middle and a shot to the near left post, extending the surprising visitor lead to four.
With the loss, the Golden Eagle unbeaten streak ends at six. A season after finishing 10-1-1 at Alumni Field, JBU drops to 2-2-0 in 2017. Holt made five saves in the loss while Ziggy Camejo stopped three John Brown chances before giving way to backup Hector Haros, who made one save in the relief appearance.
JBU appeared to take a 1-0 lead in the first half, but an offsides call helped turn the tide in favor of Wayland, which has now won eight straight.
The Golden Eagles returned to action on Saturday against Mid-America Christian as part of the Homecoming 2017 festivities. Results were not available at presstime. JBU is now off until next Saturday when it hosts Bacone (Okla.) at 6 p.m. at Alumni Field.
Sports on 10/08/2017