Clarksville, Ark.-The U of O men's soccer team ended their season after a 4-1 loss to Hardin-Simmons University in the American Southwest Conference championship match on November 3.
The Eagles finished the year with a school best 18-3-1 overall record and shattered numerous ASC and school records. As the East Division’s No. 1 seed in the ASC post-season tournament and after defeating McMurry University 4-0 on November 2, Ozarks has advanced to the tournament championship match for the second straight year. Under the tutelage of head coach Dave De Hart, the Eagles have compiled a 33-10-1 record over the last two years. “I’m really proud of our season long accomplishments,” said De Hart. “We played well throughout the season and anytime you can win 18 of 22 games, you have to consider it a successful year. I’m most pleased how we played defensively. That was a big question mark going into the season, but our goalkeeper and our defensive players really stepped up and did the job.” The Eagles rewrote the ASC record books. Ozarks now owns eight of twelve team offensive records in the conference, six of which were set this season. The team set single-season records in most points (262), highest points per game average (11.90), most goals (92), highest goals per game average (4.18), most assists (78) and highest assists per game average (3.54). Every ASC record is also a new U of O record. The Eagles already owned single-season conference records in most shots (518) and highest shots per game (23.55). The Eagles also have one conference team defensive record, lowest goals against average (1.03). Ninety-two goals ranked Ozarks first in goals scored in NCAA III and their 4.18 goals scored per game ranks them second. The team’s twelve-goal effort against Rhema Bible College was sixth best this season in NCAA III. Additionally, Marcos Gonzalez owns thirteen ASC records, Armando Vergara owns two and Chris Schultz owns one. Gonzalez set seven single-season records including most games played (22), most points (66), highest points per game average (3.0), most assists (26), highest assists per game average (1.18), most shots (124) and highest shots per game average (5.63). His eight-assist effort against Rhema Bible College is a new ASC and NCAA III match record. His 1.18 assist per game average placed him first this year in NCAA III and a 3.15 points per game average ranked him eighth. Gonzalez has four ASC career records including most games played (78), most points (149), most assists (45) and highest assists per game average (.57). Each are also records at U of O as are his career goals scored (52), career shots taken (367) and career game winning goals (9). Vergara owns ASC and U of O match records in most points (10) and most goals (4). Vergara’s ten-point total and four-goal performance placed him third in NCAA III this season. Schultz, only a freshman, owns conference and U of O records in lowest goals against average (.92). Schultz set single-season U of O records in most saves (87) and fewest goals allowed (17). Other single-season school records the 2001 squad set are fewest losses (3), most consecutive wins (9), highest winning percentage (.840), fewest goals allowed (23), most shutouts (9) and longest unbeaten streak (16).
Topics: Athletics