Abilene, Texas -- After a 1-1 double overtime tie, the University of the Ozarks men's soccer team won a shootout over Austin College and advanced to the American Southwest Conference championship match for the fourth time in the past six seasons. Ozarks will face Hardin-Simmons tomorrow at 2:30 p.m.
Ozarks, who defeated Austin College 3-1 earlier in the season, got a big performance from freshman goalkeeper Brian Sarber. Sarber batted off all three Austin College attempts in the shootout while Ryan Skelly, Cody Ellis and Ron Hogsett nailed their shots. Ozarks nearly won the match in the second half when an Ellis header went off the post with just 50 seconds to play. After a back-and-forth first half, Ozarks Ryan Skelly scored off a free kick from Hogsett in the 60th minute. Skelly beat two defenders to the ball for the open shot and his ninth goal of the season. Austin College, however, quickly came back when they scored in the 62nd minute. Austin College held a 19-12 edge in the shots column. Skelly and Cyrus Smith each had three shots. Sarber ended the match with nine saves. Ozarks improves to 5-4 in their all-time ASC tournament playoff record. Austin College drops to 1-3 in post-season play. The Eagles and Cowboys have faced off twice in championship matches, with Hardin-Simmons winning both.
Topics: Athletics