Golden Eagles take down Drovers

n Senior Ryan Williams had two goals and an assist in the win.

Photo courtesy of JBU Sports Information John Brown senior forward Conner Haney takes a shot during Saturday's match against Science and Arts (Okla.).
Photo courtesy of JBU Sports Information John Brown senior forward Conner Haney takes a shot during Saturday's match against Science and Arts (Okla.).

Senior Ryan Williams scored two goals and added an assist, and the John Brown University men's soccer team handed Science and Arts (Okla.) its first Sooner Athletic Conference loss of the season 3-1 on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field.

Williams' goals came in the 31st and 54th minutes, while his pass out wide to senior Conner Haney added to his five-point afternoon as the Golden Eagles (5-5-1, 2-2-0 Sooner Athletic) returned to .500 on the season.

Tjeerd Bron's first goal of the season broke senior Britt Wisener's shutout bid, but the Golden Eagles held possession for the majority of the contest, partially thanks to a red card that forced the visiting Drovers (9-3-0, 3-1-0) to play a man down.

Although being a man down didn't factor into the first two tallies for the Golden Eagles. Williams ripped his fourth of the season from the top of the box to the far left post after a give-and-go with freshman Adrian Immel up the right flank. The assist was Immel's first point of his career.

Just six minutes later, John Brown doubled its lead. On the attack, Williams laid off a pass to Haney streaking up the right side and, after a stutter step, Haney let go an attempt to the far left post, beating USAO keeper Daniel Merkel.

The strike was Haney's fifth of the season after his hat trick (three goals) performance against Bacone (Okla.) on Tuesday.

Each team scored in the second half, but Williams' second of the afternoon put the hosts up 3-0 in one-touch fashion. Senior Ashby Clark eluded a defender on the right side and slide a pass to Williams in the middle for a one-touch to the back of the goal.

Williams now has 11 points in his last three matches.

Both keepers made six saves, but it was the Golden Eagles who had a 20-18 shooting advantage in the contest.

John Brown now embarks on a three-match road swing, beginning with defending national champion Wayland Baptist (Texas) on Saturday at 3 p.m.

Sports on 10/10/2018