Clarksville, Ark.-The Eagles overcame a sluggish first half in which they trailed 1-0 to earn a 4-1 win over McMurry University Saturday in American Southwest Conference play.
McMurry (2-5-3, 0-3-3) scored the only goal of the first half and was on the attack most of the first half, sending six shots at Ozarks’ goalkeeper Neil Thompson. Thompson totaled five of his seven saves in the first 45 minutes of play. Ozarks had several opportunities to score in the first half, but none came through. A Guido Salas’ shot just after the McMurry goal was stopped by goalkeeper Collin Bowersock. Dylan Evans sent a header in the 32nd minute toward goal, but it hit the crossbar. Another header by Evans one minute later was saved by Bowersock. Tate Ramirez’s attempt in the box in the 39th minute went just wide.
The Eagles (6-4-0, 2-3-0) came out in the second half in dominate fashion, nearly scoring within the first 10 seconds on a Brandon VanCleave shot. The McMurry defense eventually collapsed from Ozarks’ aggressive offensive attack, and the Eagles tied the match at 1-1 after Shaun Renfro’s penalty kick in the 51st minute. Scott Janders scored his fifth goal of the season in the 54th minute to make it 2-1. With momentum in Ozarks’ favor, Anthony Santoro nearly increased the lead in the 55th minute, but his shot hit the crossbar. In the 61st minute, VanCleave sent a perfect ball in the box off a corner kick and Aaron Brueckner promptly knocked it in with his head. The final goal came just seconds before the match ended when Dylan Evans recorded his third goal of the year.
Ozarks owned the second half, holding a 15-3 shots advantage. The Eagles ended the match with a 21-9 shots advantage.
Evans finished with four shots, two of which were on goal.
Ozarks will travel to Brownwood, Texas, to face Howard Payne University October 9 and then on to Belton, Texas, to face Mary Hardin-Baylor October 10.
Topics: Athletics