SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- A pair of second-half goals from junior Amaury Jarry broke open a level match and lifted the John Brown University men's soccer team to a 3-1 victory over Texas Wesleyan on Tuesday evening (Nov. 4), advancing the Golden Eagles into the Sooner Athletic tournament semifinal round at Alumni Field.
After a scoreless first half, the match opened up just three minutes into the second when sophomore Alejandro Gallardo broke the deadlock. Gallardo connected on a header at the back post off freshman Constantin Bauer's corner service in the 49th minute, notching his seventh goal of the season.
The Rams drew level six minutes later when Fabricio Martinez finished from close range, assisted by Louis Guffroy and Rudy Gonzalez.
In the 75th minute, Jarry put the Golden Eagles back on top, converting a cheeky chip of the Wesleyan keeper, Axel Tonietto, after a brilliant pass over the back line from Steven Cisneros.
The Frenchman struck again in the 87th minute, finishing a combination play that started with junior Andres Pereira sprinting through the midfield on the counter. Pereira expertly played a ball to freshman Ransford Okyere through the Ram back line, and with Tonietto coming to challenge, Okyere maneuvered around the stranded goalkeeper and sent an unselfish pass directly to Jarry in front of the awning goal for the insurance marker.
Jarry's brace was the sixth and seventh of the season, while he netted his second game-winner of the campaign.
John Brown (11-3-4) outshot TXWES 19-6 overall, including an 11-2 advantage on frame, and finished with a 5-4 edge in corner kicks. The Golden Eagles' defense limited the Rams to one shot on goal after halftime, while senior Adam Tebbs (6-3-4) made one save in the win.
Gallardo and Jarry each tallied five shots and four on target to pace the JBU attack. Bauer, Cisneros, Okyere, and Pereira each recorded an assist as John Brown improved to 6-2-2 on its home grounds this season.
Texas Wesleyan (9-10-0) was led by Martinez's goal, while goalkeeper Axel Tonietto posted seven saves in defeat.
With the win, the Blue and Gold advance to the semifinal round for the fifth time in six seasons, where the hosts will face second-seeded Mid-America Christian (Okla.) for the season time this season. JBU took the regular-season victory, 2-0, on Oct. 25, ending a nine-match losing streak against the Evangels. The Golden Eagles are 1-2-0 all-time in tournament play against MACU, and will take on the preseason conference favorites on Friday night (Nov. 7) at 7:30 p.m. at Alumni Field – live on the SAC Sports Network and the Urban Edge Network.
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