SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- Junior Gabriel Cabrera scored his first collegiate brace, including converting a game-winning late penalty from the spot, and the No. 25 John Brown University men's soccer team jumped to the top of the league table with a 2-1 win over Wayland Baptist (Texas) on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 4) at Alumni Field.
A tilted field in the first half saw the host Golden Eagles (8-2-1, 3-0-0 Sooner Athletic) out-shoot the visiting Pioneers by a 12-1 margin in the first half, but it was a Pioneer miscue that allowed the hosts to break the goalless match midway through the second half, and then the match was fully on.
Wayland (4-3-1, 1-1-1) failed to clear the ball out of its box, ricocheting off junior Atim Roper and right to Cabrera, who pocketed his third of the season in the 66th minute – starting the Blue and Gold on the front foot.
The lead lasted less than three minutes, however, as the visitors were forced to push forward and hope for an equalizer. Wayland Baptist did just that, with Francis Motsi earning a penalty kick and converting for his seventh of the season – returning the match back to a deadlock.
With possession and pressing for a victory, John Brown finally broke through when junior Amaury Jarry earned a penalty kick in the box after a Pioneer defender appeared to clip his heel, setting up Cabrera at the spot with a chance at the go-ahead goal.
Cabrera made no mistake, ripping his fourth of the season and second-career game-winner with just 5:09 left in the match.
The visiting side was unable to find a tying effort, as John Brown became the last remaining side in the Sooner Athletic with three wins through its first three matches of the season.
Senior Adam Tebbs made four saves, improving to 4-2-1 on the year, as the Blue and Gold now average 1.00 goals-against per match. Alex Neri saved four of six JBU attempts on target in the loss.
The Golden Eagles will now take to the road and spend the weekend in the Lone Star State. John Brown faces Texas Wesleyan at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday evening (Oct. 9). Live from Martin Field, the match is slated to be carried by the SAC Sports Network and the Urban Edge Network.
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