Junior Kelvin Omondi scored a pair of goals over the final 25 minutes of the match, including the game-winner with just 13.9 seconds remaining, and the John Brown University men's soccer squad avoided an upset bid from Mid-America Christian (Okla.) with a 2-1 win this past Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field.
Without the services of juniors Ryan Williams and Santiago Vanegas, the Golden Eagles (6-4-1, 2-1-1 Sooner Athletic) overcame a 15-11 shooting advantage by outshooting MACU 8-5 in the second half, resulting in Omondi's 10th and 11th strikes of the season.
Freshman Elias McCloud couldn't have picked a more timely moment to record his first collegiate point, an assist, as the Wheaton, Ill., product sent a long volley through the Evangel back line that settled perfectly just outside the top of the box. Omondi out-maneuvered his defender, picked up speed, and chipped a shot over MACU keeper Jakob O'meara-Gill with just under 14 seconds left in the match.
Omondi made the Golden Eagles' first goal happen with a Herculean effort in the 65th minute. After stripping an Evangel at midfield, Omondi powered his way down the pitch, through the back line and beat O'meara-Gill to the far right post to tie the match at one apiece.
MACU (7-3-0, 1-2-0) opened the scoring in the 32nd minute when Dominik Tajak netted his 14th of the season off a cross from Oliver May. The Evangels continued to carry the play in the remainder of the period, and at the intermission, MACU held the lead 1-0.
O'Meara-Gill (6-2-0) took the loss despite making five saves in the match, and senior Adam Holt (6-4-1) earned the win, making four saves.
The Golden Eagles will return to play on Saturday, Oct. 14, rested and at full strength, just in time to welcome Bacone (Okla.) to Alumni Field for a 6 p.m. bout.
Sports on 10/11/2017