SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- The No. 8 John Brown University men's soccer team erased a deficit with three goals in the final 9:18, including a pair from senior Gabriel Cabrera, to rally past Science & Arts (Okla.), 3-1, on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 3) at Alumni Field.

John Brown (7-1-1, 3-0-0 Sooner Athletic) trailed from the 34th minute until an own goal finally pulled the hosts level at 80:42. Senior Gabriel Cabrera then re-entered the match moments before putting JBU in front in the 83rd minute, before adding another with 27 seconds remaining to turn a one-goal deficit into a two-goal victory in a span of 8:51.

The comeback began with senior Ransford Okyere creating pressure down the right flank. His cross into the penalty area was met by Science & Arts center back Balsa Popovic, whose attempted headed clearance climbed over goalkeeper Jack Sexton before dropping off the far-left post and into the net for the equalizer.

Before the Drovers could settle, the Golden Eagles struck again. Cabrera, who had just checked back into the match after spending nearly 18 minutes on the sideline, made an immediate impact.

Senior Marco Brizuela stepped over a free kick just outside the penalty area and drove his attempt toward the near-left post. Sexton managed to get a piece of the shot, but the ball caromed off the post and remained loose near the goal line, where Cabrera arrived to tap home his third of the season from three yards in the 83rd minute for a 2-1 advantage.

The senior then put the result away in the final minute. Junior Andres Pereira played forward from midfield to sophomore Constantin Bauer, who laid the ball off to Cabrera at the top of the 18-yard box. Cabrera curled a right-footed finish into goal, completing his brace and giving the Blue and Gold his fourth of the campaign and third of the week.

For much of the afternoon, that finish looked unlikely.

JBU generated the better early opportunities, with Bauer having an effort blocked in the 10th minute before Brizuela struck the crossbar just three seconds later. Bauer forced Sexton into a save two minutes after that, but the hosts could not convert the early pressure.

Science & Arts (4-4-3, 1-2-0) instead broke through at 33:59. Boyan Boev attacked down the left side and maneuvered around junior goalkeeper Juan Almanza after the keeper came out to challenge. Freshman Ignacio Abarca stopped Boev's first effort near goal, but Hans Haselbarth buried the rebound from six yards to place the Drovers on the surprising front foot.

The visitors carried the 1-0 lead through halftime despite John Brown holding a 6-3 advantage in shots.

The Golden Eagles steadily increased the pressure after the break, producing 12 attempts over the final 45 minutes. Okyere forced Sexton into a save in the 74th minute, and Pereira tested the keeper again less than three minutes later as JBU continued searching for the equalizer.

Once the own goal broke the resistance, and Cabrera returned to the pitch, the match turned completely. He generated five shots over the final eight minutes alone, scoring twice and forcing Sexton into another save as the hosts overwhelmed the Drover back line down the stretch.

Cabrera finished with a match-high six shots, placing three on frame. Brizuela generated three attempts and supplied the helper on the game-winner, while Bauer and Pereira combined on the final goal.

John Brown finished with an 18-6 advantage in shots and put nine attempts on target compared with four for Science & Arts. The Golden Eagles also outshot the visiting side 12-3 after halftime.

Almanza (5-1-1) made two saves in the victory, while Abarca's defensive stop kept the initial attempt out on the Drovers' lone goal. Sexton finished with six saves in the loss for the visitors.

The Golden Eagles continue league play Tuesday (Oct. 6) with a trip to McPherson, Kan., where Central Christian (Kan.) awaits for a 5:30 p.m. kickoff at CCCK Soccer Field. The road matchup will be available live on the Urban Edge Network and the SAC Sports Network.

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