Despite both games being close for the Oklahoma Christian University men’s soccer team, an abundance of yellow cards and lack of shot attempts pulled Eastern New Mexico University and West Texas A&M University past the Eagles, in 1-0 and 3-0 games, respectively.
Eastern New Mexico’s Ryan Sinclair’s shot from 15 yards out bounced off of an Oklahoma Christian defender and into the goal, giving them the lead and the eventual 1-0 victory in the Heartland Conference opener.
The match included eight yellow cards in total, five on the Greyhounds, two on the bench and three on the Eagles, which held scoring chances for both teams. Eastern New Mexico outshot the Eagles 18-14.
Both teams were held at bay by the other’s defense. Evan Helker, the Oklahoma Christian goalkeeper, finished the game with four saves, including a diving save on a shot in the 73rd minute.
Oklahoma Christian had multiple opportunities to score with Cody Cook shooting but missing high in the 24th minute from 28 yards out and Taylor Vanderford shooting from 25 yards out in the 59th minute.
During the last game of the Eagle’s five-game home series against West Texas A&M, it was an even game until the Buffaloes scored two goals in 22 seconds to end the hopes of an Eagle comeback.
West Texas A&M outshot Oklahoma Christian 22-10 and limited the Eagles to only two shots on goal, one by Cook and the other by Helker, the latter on a free kick in the final minutes of the match.
Helker made a total of seven saves but ended up incapable of stopping Mizra Dizdarevic’s goal after he kicked in the initial blocked shot of Tom Cowling.
Jake Wiffen gave the Buffaloes a 2-0 lead in the 83rd minute on a 10-yard shot assisted by Filip Janic, and seconds later Dizdarevic would score again on a 12-yard kick.
The Eagles will hit the road and play their next two games at Newman University on Thursday and Rogers State University on Saturday.
The Oklahoma Christian women’s soccer team fell to both Dallas Baptist University and St. Edward’s University, 3-1 and 5-0 respectively, during two road games.
The game against DBU started more than 30 minutes late due to lightning in the area as the teams were warming up.
Oklahoma Christian outshot the Patriots 14-11, but could not manage a goal until sophomore Rubi Villegas Aguilar scored her first goal this season in the 89th minute.
The Patriot’s goalkeeper Hope Koym made six saves during the game, including a two-shot attempt by Oklahoma Christian’s Lauren Parker in the 10th minute.
In the second half, DBU pulled away with two goals within a three-minute span of each other. Geneva Martinez scored in the 61st minute off of an assist by Namken, followed by the same on a goal by Washburn in the 64th minute.
Oklahoma Christian goalkeeper, Carina Schanz made a total of five saves during the game.
After the loss to DBU, the Lady Eagles traveled to St. Edward’s, where once more the opposing team scored in bursts, scoring twice in a 28-second span halfway through the first half.
St. Edwards outshot the Lady Eagles 23-0 and dealt them their fifth straight loss.
Schanz made three saves for the Lady Eagles and didn’t allow a goal before leaving the game in the 25th minute. Freshman goalkeeper Addison Milner stepped into the net to record five saves in her first collegiate appearance.
“We didn’t start our season the way we wanted to, but it is on us now, how we deal with that,” Schanz said. “We need to get back our confidence and work a little bit harder ever training session. I am more than positive that we can still do great things, and accomplish our goals we set for this season. It will take everything out of us, but I know we can do it.”
The Lady Eagles will return home to play Texas A&M International University on Thursday, as they look to win their Heartland Conference home opener.
Statistics provided by the Oklahoma Christian University Sports Information office.
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