McPHERSON, Kan. -- After its upset win on Tuesday over No. 18 Southwestern Christian, the John Brown University men's soccer team could not complete a 2-0 week as the Golden Eagles were shutout in a 1-0 setback at Central Christian (Kan.) on Saturday (Oct. 20) afternoon at the Ed Pyle Sports Complex.
In a match that saw a lopsided foul count and nine cards, the Golden Eagles (6-7-1, 3-4-1 Sooner Athletic) battled through earning 20 free kicks off hard Central Christian fouling but, despite out-shooting the hosts 8-7, were unable to find the back of the goal, suffering its fourth shutout loss of the season.
The Tigers (10-6-0, 2-5-0) used a 12th minute goal from Juan Adrian Lopez, his sixth of the season, to justify parking the bus for virtually the remainder of the contest. Lopez finished a one-on-one with senior Britt Wisener after Matias Nunez's through ball past the JBU back line found the attack in all alone.
Senior Ryan Williams, senior Colling Smith and sophomore Elias McCloud each paced the Golden Eagle effort with two shot attempts.
Central Christian almost doubled its lead in the 66th minute, but Paolo Sanchez's shot attempt was blocked on the goal line by the Golden Eagle defense. Eleven minutes later, Carlos Arias' shot drew the crossbar, but remained out of the goal.
JBU mustered just two shot attempts over the remaining 13 minutes of the match.
Antonio Ramirez Villa made a pair of saves to earn his second-consecutive clean sheet.
John Brown will close out the regular season with a two-match homestand. JBU will welcome Texas Wesleyan to Alumni Field on Thursday (Oct. 25) before taking on Southwestern A.G. (Texas) on Saturday afternoon, which will also double as senior day.
