Clarksville, Ark.-Eloy Salgado is back.
The University of the Ozarks senior forward made a memorable return from a season-ending injury last year with a pair of clutch goals in the Eagles 2-1 overtime win against Westminster College Saturday. With the Eagles (1-0-0) facing a 1-0 deficit late in the second half, Salgado netted his first goal in the 89th minute to push the match into overtime. Salgado rebounded a ball in the box off a shot from Travis Leach and ripped it past Westminster goalkeeper Caleb Marquis to even the match at 1-1. Ozarks used that momentum in the second overtime to continue to attack Marquis and the Westminster defense. Salgado eventually took a ball that was cleared by a Westminster (0-2-0) defender and put the game-winner in the back of the net in the 104th minute.
“It was an all day effort and I thought the whole team played well,” said head coach John Cossaboon. “I thought the match was evenly played. They scored an unbelievable goal in the second half, but we responded and did something we can build on the rest of the year.”
Ozarks goalkeeper Austin Benner had seven saves in the match, including a number of leaping grabs over Westminster players.
“We are more sound in defending corner kicks and in our restarts because Austin can dominate in the air,” said Cossaboon. “We know that he can get to balls. He is quick and agile.”
The Eagles posted 13 shots in the match and had seven corner kicks. Salgado had four shots and Gage Merritt and Matt Weaver had three each.
Ozarks will travel to Sewanee, Tenn., to face Sewanee September 7 and Berry College September 8.
Topics: Athletics