Clarksville, Ark.- Mary Hardin-Baylor broke open a close game with goals in the 66th and 79th minutes to hand Ozarks a 4-1 setback Thursday in American Southwest Conference play.
Mary Hardin-Baylor (6-2-0, 3-2-0 ASC) struck first with a goal in the 39th minute to take a 1-0 advantage into halftime. The Crusaders would build a 2-0 lead after another goal in the 56th minute. But Ozarks (3-6-0, 2-3-0 ASC) would eventually break down the Crusader defense in the second half and cut the deficit to 2-1. Francisco Garza went through the defensive line and netted a goal in the 57th minute for his third goal of the season. Garza’s goal gave the Eagles a much-needed boost, but the Crusaders deflated the rally by scoring in the 66th minute to move ahead 3-1. Just prior to that, Ozarks goalkeeper Neil Thompson made a nice save in front of the goal on Derek Geels’ shot. The Eagles didn’t go away though as Christian Ridings split a pair of Crusader defenders and got off a shot that forced goalkeeper Mark Miller to make a play on. Thompson made another nice save near the post on a Scott Poole shot to keep the score 3-1 in the 78th minute. Just shortly after that, the Crusaders put the game away with their fourth goal on the day. Ozarks countered with a Tony Santoro header in the 80th minute off a corner kick, but the shot was stopped by Miller.
The Crusaders held a 10-2 corner kick advantage in the match while recording nine shots on goal.
Ozarks totaled seven shots in the match.
Thompson posted five saves.
Ozarks will host Howard Payne University October 2.
Topics: Athletics