Eagles endure high winds to defeat DBU

Photo by Roxie Gonzalez

The Eagles soccer team battled not only the other team, but also the weather on the Oct. 13 game against the visiting Patriots of Dallas Baptist University. The Eagles finished the game with a commanding score of 2-0.

“We told the guys before the game that today was going to be a game that we just have to come out and manage, not make mistakes with the way the field is and just play safe,” Head Coach of Men’s Soccer David Scott said. “We managed things and made sure we didn’t give any balls away in our half of the field.”

Seth Brown and Ante Susic led the Eagles on offense with a goal in the first half and one in the second half. On the other end of the field, Matt McLain and Evan Helker led a shutout defensive front.

Oklahoma Christian University had the benefit of the wind in the first half and took advantage just before halftime. Troy Tippeconnic started the play with a booming cross from the right side about 30 yards from the goal, which Brown headed past Dallas Baptist goalkeeper Chuck Schober in the 41st minute.

Helker said the team has adopted a more selfless attitude on the field.

“Our attitude has changed going into conference play, mainly because we have realized the potential of our team and we know what’s on the line with this season,” Helker said. “We are a good team when we are playing to our full potential and we have no room to slack off. We just have to come out and play hard and execute the game plan and strategy the coaches lined out for us.”

The wind shifted from north to west in the second half, denying Dallas Baptist the same advantage the Eagles capitalized on. Oklahoma Christian matched the Patriots on shots 7-7 in the second half, giving the Eagles a 16-12 advantage for the entire game.

The Patriot’s Schober saved an initial shot by Oklahoma Christian’s Brandon Little Axe, but Susic put in the rebound, putting the Eagles up 2-0 in the 53rd minute.

Scott said he was proud of the defensive leadership of McLain and Helker.

“Those two played great,” Scott said. “Evan had a couple of good saves in the first half, when it was still 0-0 and Matt has been solid and a good organizer for us. That was a big performance from both those guys.”

Helker recorded seven saves in the shutout against Dallas Baptist.

According to Tippeconic, an increase in productivity in practice has led to success during games.

“Our team’s work rate has been lifted in practice over the past month,” Tippeconnic said. “We are starting to play for each other and not for ourselves.”

According to Tippeconnic, the challenge lies in the games that the team expects to win.

“As for conference we have played the toughest teams,” Tippeconnic said. “The trap games are ahead of us, the games we should win but if we don’t work for each other we won’t.”

The Eagles fell 3-0 to St. Mary’s on Oct. 18 in San Antonio, Texas and lost to Texas A&M International 3-0 on Oct. 20 in Laredo, Texas. Oklahoma Christian will play Newman University in Wichita, Kansas on Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m.

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