Clarksville, Ark.-Hardin-Simmons' Estevan Arbiaza nailed a penalty kick in the 76th minute to break a 1-1 tie and push the Cowboys to a 2-1 win over the Eagles Thursday in American Southwest Conference play.
Ozarks (5-4-0, 1-3-0) went up 1-0 on Scott Janders’ goal in the 25th minute. Janders beat Hardin-Simmons goalkeeper Logan Waters, who came too far out during the play, to the goal for his fourth score of the season. Shaun Renfro was credited with the assist. Hardin-Simmons tied it at 1-1 in the 32nd minute when John Aunmu scored off a throw in.
After going back-and-forth for most of the match, Hardin-Simmons (5-1-1, 4-0-0) made a push in the second half, recording seven shots during that span. The Eagles’ defense hung tough knocking away several balls late off a number of Cowboy corner kicks. Ozarks goalkeeper Christian Ridings made a nice save in the 67th minute when he reached high in the air to bat away Arbiaza’s header. The match changed, however, when Ridings was called for a foul in the box, and Arbiaza calmly found the back of the net on the penalty kick. The Eagles had a few opportunities following Hardin-Simmons’ score, including a pair of corner kicks and an Aaron Brueckner shot in the 87th minute, but the Eagles were unable to convert.
Ridings finished with three saves.
Ozarks totaled five shots in the match.
Ozarks will continue ASC play when it hosts McMurry University this Saturday.
Topics: Athletics