OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- The John Brown University men's soccer team converted all four shootout chances after 110 minutes had elapsed, and the sixth-seeded Golden Eagles (8-8-2) rode senior Adam Holt's four-save effort to advance past third-seeded Oklahoma City in the Sooner Athletic quarterfinals on Thursday night (Nov. 2) at Stars Field.
After taking a difficult 2-1 double-overtime loss to the Stars, who finish its season at 14-3-2, just nine days prior, surrendering a late 1-0 advantage, the staunch JBU back line held City off the scoreboard for just the second time this season on its home turf.
While the match technically ended in a draw, a winner had to be decided to advance to the tournament semifinals. This is where the sharpshooting Golden Eagles showed off.
City missed its first opportunity high, while junior Ryan Williams, junior Santiago Vanegas and senior Steve Teshima netted three consecutive opportunities, forcing the hosts to convert on its fourth chance or face elimination.
The fourth Oklahoma City chance hit the right post square on, despite Holt guessing the correct direction, allowing one more conversion for the visitors to clinch its fourth-consecutive appearance in the SAC tournament semifinals.
Sophomore Joao Silva stepped up and deposited a shot past OCU keeper Vladimir Kalajdzic, ending City's season and prolonging the John Brown effort to return to the NAIA National Championships by another match.
"Our guys have fought so hard all year and had some unfortunate endings to tight games," head coach Brenton Benware said after his first postseason appearance at the helm of the program. "It was great to see them dig deep, pull out a shutout and ultimately get a hard-fought result."
Kalajdzic turned aside seven JBU shots on target through 110 minutes of play. Holt picked up his second clean sheet of the season.
While John Brown held a 7-4 shooting advantage through the first 45 minutes, the Stars responded with a 9-5 margin through the final 65 minute of play. Aboubakr Diallo led all players with six attempts while junior Kelvin Omondi paced the JBU offense with five shots.
The Golden Eagles will now advance to take on second-seeded Southwestern Christian (Okla.) on Monday (Nov. 6) at the Cagle Family Field. Kick-off is slated for a 2 p.m. start time.
The Eagles bested John Brown 2-0 on Oct. 28 at Alumni Field.
