CHICKASHA, Okla. -- Just before extra time was required, Science & Arts (Okla.) netted the game-winner with two minutes left, sending the John Brown University men's soccer team to a 3-2 setback in the regular-season finale on Tuesday evening (Oct. 31) at Drover Pitch.
Sophomore Benard Mwangi netted his first of the season in the first half and junior Ryan Williams scored an incredible individual effort in the second half, both goals giving the Golden Eagles (8-8-1, 4-5-1 Sooner Athletic) the lead, but consecutive second-half goals allowed was too much to overcome.
The host Drovers (12-5-1, 7-3-0) out-shot JBU 23-10 on the evening, earning goals from Hugo Medrano, Owen Connelly and Dax Hampton. Connelly tied the game at two in the 56th minute before Hampton's game winner with just over 90 seconds to play.
With the loss, John Brown is locked into the sixth seed marking a required road trip for the Sooner Athletic quarterfinals. The Golden Eagles will travel to Stars Field to take on third-seeded Oklahoma City on Thursday night (Nov. 2).
Mwangi opened the scoring in the 33rd minute by sending a shot past USAO keeper George Connelly from in close after a perfect pass through the middle from sophomore Joao Silva sprung the forward. Junior Ashby Clark also earned an assist on the play.
Coming out of the halftime break, JBU again jumped ahead 2-1 behind Williams' effort through the midfield in the 48th minute. With the run of play, Williams burned past his defender and maneuvered around a second before cutting to the top right side of the box. In stride, Williams let go a curving ball which bent just inside the far left post, notching his sixth tally of the season.
Eight minutes later, Science & Arts tied the match. Both the game-tying strike and game-winner came off Golden Eagle turnovers inside the box, leading to open strikes to the bottom right side of the JBU goal.
Senior Adam Holt made 10 saves, a season high, in the loss, moving to 8-8-1 on the season. Connelly stopped three of five Golden Eagle shots sent his way to earn the victory.
Kickoff between John Brown and the Stars is slated for Thursday evening at 6 p.m.
