Box Score (html)
SHAWNEE – Despite facing a 2-1 deficit to start the second half, the Bison rallied back with three goals in the final 45 minutes to earn their first victory over Oklahoma Christian since 2008. It is also the first time the men's soccer program has started the season 1-0 under the direction of Oklahoma Baptist head coach
Anthony Yousey.
Vicente Castillo did the heavy lifting for the Bison, collecting a brace and forcing the error that led to an own goal by the Eagles. His first goal came in the 56th minute of action off an assist by
Jacob Tunney, while his second of the match, which stood as the game-winner, came courtesy of a
Jonathan Martinez flick-on in the 69th minute.
Despite taking the first three goals of the match, including a shot on goal by
Jesus Andrade, it was the visitors who struck first to gain the advantage in the 12th minute of play. However, seven minutes later parity was restored as Castillo whipped in a ball that took a deflection, wrong-footing OC goalkeeper Evan Helker, and resulted in an own goal by the Eagles. The Bison continued to press the advantage, recording six shots after the score was levelled, but found themselves on the wrong end of the score line at the half when Oklahoma Christian scored their second goal of the match in the 41st minute.
Sixteen minutes into the second half was all it took for OBU to level the score yet again as Tunney sent a perfectly weighted pass from half-field that fell to Castillo's foot. On the breakaway, the senior forward placed the shot perfectly over the outstretched hands of Helker into the top left corner of goal.
Seizing the initiative from there, the Bison scored 13 minutes later, again through Castillo. A long throw in was headed on by Martinez. The flick-on again fell to Castillo, who took a hard low shot that found the back of the net. With a little over eight minutes left on the board, a crashing
Josue De Paz then headed a free kick in from
David Estrada to make the score 4-2 and the Bison never looked back.
"I told the guys that we needed more intensity, more urgency going forward and to not be so content at halftime," said Yousey. "Once one person started moving, it really opened up a lot of lanes and channels and we got the goals we needed."
Oklahoma Baptist outshot Oklahoma Christian 18-10, including an 8-5 advantage in shots on goal. Senior goalkeeper
Colin Spencer recorded three saves to earn his first win of the season, and the second of his career.
The Bison return action tomorrow night, Friday, Sept. 2, for a 7 p.m. tilt against St. Mary's at the OBU Soccer Complex. They'll be looking to start the season 2-0 for the first time since 2009.
