SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- Junior Kendal Madrigal scored in his second-straight match and added an assist less than three minutes later to power the John Brown University men's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Mid-America Christian (Okla.) on Saturday night (Oct. 25) at Alumni Field.
The victory not only ended a nine-match losing skid to the Evangels, but place the Blue and Gold's destiny back into their own hands. A win at Oklahoma City on Tuesday night (Oct. 28) would clinch the third Sooner Athletic regular season title in program history (2003, 19). A loss or a draw with the Stars would setup OCU to clinch the regular season title outright in its final match on Friday night (Oct. 31) at Central Christian.
The first half featured play in the midfield for the majority of the period as the sides felt each other out. The best scoring chance came in the fourth minute when sophomore Marcos Miranda ripped a bending shot to the top left corner of goal, but MACU keeper Dante Caffaro was up to the task, keeping the sides level.
The second half, however, was a different story as the Golden Eagles (10-3-3, 5-1-2) broke the match wide open with a pair of goals in the 47th and 49th minutes.
Freshman Jorge Cervantes began the play on the first strike, weaving his way up the right channel and slipping through a pair of Evangel defenders before sending a short cross towards goal. Caffaro knocked the ball back to the top of the box, where freshman Constantin Bauer ripped a shot that was deflected by the visiting defenders. Madrigal was left wide open at the back post – and ripped a low, hard shot from 10 yards that beat Caffaro and gave the Blue and Gold its first front foot position against MACU since 2021 (six matches).
With momentum still tilting the pitch towards the MACU side, Madrigal completed his three-point night with a perfect cross from the right flank to junior Amaury Jarry for a tap in after beating his defender to goal. The strike was Jarry's fifth of the season and second in three matches.
Mid-America Christian (6-7-4, 4-2-2) then responded, outshooting JBU 8-2 over the final 41 minutes of action. Senior Adam Tebbs (5-3-3) was up to the task, producing a season-high six saves to complete his third clean sheet of the season and the seventh of his career. The Golden Eagle back line, anchored by senior Ahmed Abess turned in a critical performance that shutout the Evangels for the seventh time this season.
Caffaro made just one save on three chances between the sticks for the visitors.
JBU will now look to clinch on Tuesday night at Brian Harvey Field. The contest will air live on the SAC Sports Network – for a fee.
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