Eagles drop final game of season against Newman

The Eagles concluded the soccer season with a close loss but ended with a celebration in honor of the team’s graduating seniors.

Oklahoma Christian University fell 3-2 to Newman University after a consistent back-and-forth scoring game.

Sophomore Cody McLemore said he grew tired near the end but the team worked as a unit.

“We worked together really hard – there’s always little things we could improve on but I think we were solid and I’m happy with our performance,” McLemore said.

The teams faced off in ideal weather conditions on Sunday afternoon after the game was postponed Saturday.

Newman started the game with the first goal in the 14th minute, but Eagle Seth Brown retaliated nine minutes later with a goal of his own, assisted by Sergio Flores and Stephen Tower.

The Jets scored again in the 38th minute with one of their 14 total shots, and Oklahoma Christian’s Braydan Castrop came back in the 55th minute with a strike from 25 yards — barely soaring past the goalkeeper’s hands.

The game’s intensity increased in the last 10 minutes as the score bumped to 3-2 in the Jets’ favor. The Eagles recorded 25 total shots but could not find the net for a third goal.

Although the Eagles ended with a loss, McLemore said the season as a whole – with an 8-9-1 record – was successful.

“We would like to come out with a win but I think we did good this season,” McLemore said.

With the conclusion of the season came the celebration of the Eagles’ seniors and those ending soccer careers after this season, which includes Brandon Little Axe, Daniel Bolin, Fraol Legesse and Jared Punjabi.

“Great work seniors – thank you for all your great work and all your dedication and good luck in your future,” McLemore said on behalf of the Eagles’ soccer team.

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