SILOAM SPRINGS -- Armed with a commanding 2-0 lead at the break, Texas Wesleyan responded with three unanswered goals in the second half – including the game-winner in the final minute – as the John Brown University men's soccer squad fell by a 3-2 score to the Rams on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 29) at Alumni Field.
In a match that was all but a literal shootout, the teams combined for 58 shot attempts, 24 saves and 14 corner kicks. The Rams (12-5-0, 5-4-0 Sooner Athletic) did hold a 17-12 advantage in shots on goal.
With the loss, the Golden Eagles (9-3-3, 5-3-1) fall from second place in the league table to fourth, and will look forward to a rematch with the fifth-seeded Rams in the Sooner Athletic quarterfinals, set to begin on Saturday evening (Nov. 5). While a formal kick-off time has yet to be announced the squads will face off under the lights.
While out-shooting TXWES by a 17-8 margin in the first half, sophomore Kendall Acuna opened the scoring in the 19th minute by heading in a corner service from junior Alonso Arrieta for a 1-0 John Brown lead.
With halftime looming, junior Erick Diaz's pass through the Rams back line sprung senior Oscar Carballo in the 41st minute. Carballo cut diagonally though the field to his right and absolutely ripped a shot to the near right side into the top shelf, doubling the host's advantage to two.
After halftime, however, the Rams responded with a 21-12 shooting advantage and potted goals in the 63rd and 71st minutes to draw level on strikes from James Kerr and Mathis Gouffroy.
JBU nearly took back the lead in the 83rd minute when Carballo was inches from securing a brace, but his shot to the left of goal rang of the left post, and then the right, never breaching the goal line entirely, forcing the match to continue level.
With the match destined to finish in a draw, Texas Wesleyan had one more opportunity and capitalized, as Oscar Odriozola tapped in a rebound off a Gouffroy shot to the near left post with just 34 seconds left in the match.
Sophomore Kyle Hix made a career-high 13 saves on 16 chances, but absorbed the loss to move to 5-2-1 on the year. Alex Heinle made 10 saves on 12 opportunities for the Rams.
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