Clarksville, Ark.-The Eagles shutout the defending American Southwest Conference champions 4-0 on Saturday in Abilene, Texas.
Ozarks (8-4-1, 5-2-0) got a pair of goals from Jared Gordon and Jason Caskey and Ryan Skelly each added a goal to avenge a 2-0 loss to the Cowboys in the 2005 ASC tournament championship match. “We moved ahead in the standings after this weekend and that’s what we need to do in order to reach our goal of making the playoffs,” said head coach Dave De Hart. “We started a little slow this season and now we are beginning to hit our stride. We are finally settled on a lineup and a system. We have made some changes that have led to more goals being scored. This is a building process, and its not where you start its where you finish. I think we’ve been patient and the guys have realized we are building to an end.” Caskey stayed hot as he scored in the 22nd minute on an assist from Skelly. Gordon then found the back of the net in the 40th minute to give Ozarks a 2-0 halftime edge. Matt Engelman received the assist. Gordon, the reigning ASC Offensive Player of the Week, opened the second half with a goal in the 46th minute to push the lead to 3-0. Brandon Cain received the assist. Skelly scored the match’s final goal in the 60th minute on an assist from Darren Clark. The Eagles have scored 15 goals in their last four league matches. “Jared Gordon has stepped up and is playing really well,” said De Hart. “We are getting some really good senior leadership on the field from Gordon and Ryan Skelly. And, our freshmen are getting over being freshmen. The team has come together and they are working hard for each other.” Goalkeeper Jeffrey Enevoldsen recorded his first shutout of the season and finished with 7 saves. Ozarks will host Mary Hardin-Baylor on October 13 and Howard Payne on October 14.
Topics: Athletics