SILOAM SPRINGS -- Senior Erick Diaz scored in his second-straight match and junior Alejandro Ramirez scored 91 seconds later in the first half as the John Brown University men's soccer team battled to a 2-1 win over Southwestern Christian (Okla.) on Saturday (Sept. 30) night at Alumni Field.
The Golden Eagles (5-4-0, 2-0-0 Sooner Athletic) received four saves from junior Kyle Hix and have won two straight after breaking a four-match losing skid while improving to 5-1-1 against the Eagles in the last seven meetings.
Vinicuius Cruz's first goal of the season broke the clean sheet bid in the 65th minute, but Hix's pair of saves in the second half was enough, despite JBU being out-shot 16-13 on the match.
Diaz's 25-yard curving shot from beyond the left elbow of the box sprung John Brown to a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute, but not for long.
Senior Alonso Arrieta's pass up the left side to Carballo allowed the captain to slot a pass into Diaz prior to the goal.
Just 91 seconds later following an SCU foul out on the left flank, senior Oscar Carballo served a perfect ball into the box, and Ramirez dove and got his head on the falling ball just before it hit the ground, changing the trajectory past visiting keeper Santiago Esparza for a 2-0 advantage that would hold for 53 minutes.
Southwestern Christian had three shot opportunities in the final 10 minutes of play, but all three went off target.
John Brown continues its homestand versus Wayland Baptist (Texas) on Tuesday (Oct. 3) afternoon, when the Golden Eagles prepare for a 5 p.m. kick off. The SAC Sports Network will carry the contest live from Alumni Field.
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