SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- Sophomore Constantin Bauer and freshman Chriss Salinas converted a pair of Texas Wesleyan turnovers into goals as No. 19 John Brown University men's soccer blanked the Rams, 2-0, in the Sooner Athletic tournament semifinals Saturday evening (Nov. 7) at Alumni Field.

Third-seeded Texas Wesleyan controlled much of the attacking volume, finishing with a 14-6 advantage in shots and earning 10 of the match's 11 corner kicks, but second-seeded John Brown punished two mistakes in transition and protected the resulting advantage. The Golden Eagles put just two attempts on frame, converting both, while the Rams were turned away on each of their four shots on goal.

The victory sends second-seeded John Brown (12-4-1) into the SAC tournament championship match for the second consecutive season. JBU will pursue the third tournament title in program history after previously lifting the trophy in 2002 and 2019.

Texas Wesleyan came out on the front foot, producing five of the first six shots and four corner kicks within the opening 13 minutes. Junior goalkeeper Juan Almanza stopped Nathaniel Neang's attempt in the 13th minute before the Golden Eagles turned the Rams' pressure into the opening goal four minutes later.

Freshman Kevin Acosta dispossessed Texas Wesleyan as the Rams pushed through the middle, and junior Andres Pereira collected the loose ball to trigger the counter. Pereira carried forward before finding junior Alejandro Gallardo, whose one-touch flick released Bauer into space. The sophomore gathered the pass and ripped a left-footed strike from 23 yards off the left post and into the net in the 17th minute for his team-leading eighth goal of the season.

John Brown took the 1-0 advantage into halftime despite being outshot 7-3 in the opening 45 minutes. The Rams again threatened immediately after the restart, but freshman Jaksa Pantic cleared Diogo Stefane's attempt away for a defensive save in the 48th minute before another Texas Wesleyan shot was blocked seconds later.

JBU answered that spell with its second transition goal in the 49th minute. Gallardo intercepted a pass in the Rams' attacking half, turned and carried the ball roughly 30 yards up the left channel before eventually receiving it back and clipping a pass through the Texas Wesleyan back line. Salinas raced onto it one-on-one with goalkeeper Noah Epler-McDonnell and calmly chipped his finish over the keeper toward the left side of goal for his second tally of the season.

The Rams continued to press from there, producing seven second-half shots and five corners, but the Golden Eagle defense never allowed the match back within reach. Almanza stopped Rudy Gonzalez in the 73rd minute and Henrique Soares in the 89th, while JBU repeatedly dealt with Texas Wesleyan's service into the penalty area.

Gallardo supplied the final pass on both goals to finish with two assists, while Pereira added the secondary helper on Bauer's opener. Bauer and Salinas each scored on their only shot of the night, making JBU two-for-two on attempts on frame.

Texas Wesleyan (8-7-5) finished with the 4-2 shooting advantage on frame, while the Rams also held a 10-1 margin in corner kicks. John Brown nevertheless completed its second straight tournament shutout after eliminating Oklahoma Panhandle State, 4-0, in Wednesday's quarterfinal.

Almanza (10-4-1) made three saves to secure his seventh clean sheet of the season, with Pantic accounting for JBU's additional defensive save. The Golden Eagles have not conceded a goal through 180 minutes of postseason play.

Second-seeded John Brown travels to Oklahoma City for Wednesday's (Nov. 11) league title match against top-seeded Mid-America Christian (Okla.) at Dill Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., with the SAC Sports Network carrying the action live, for a fee.

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