CHICKASHA, Okla. (macbulldogs.com) --- Two first-half goals were the difference as the McPherson College men's soccer team suffered its first defeat of the year Thursday, falling to the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO), 2-0, at the Drover Pitch.
The Drovers (3-4), which had been ranked 16th in the preseason NAIA Coaches' Poll, jumped on the Bulldogs (4-1-1) right away as Llewellyn Evans redirected a Conor Fay cross past McPherson keeper
Arthur Lamparter (Schweinfurt, Germany) in the sixth minute.
Fay tallied a goal of his own in the 32nd minute off an assist from Joseph Robb.
USAO outshot McPherson, 10-8, overall, including a 5-1 advantage in the first half. The Drovers also held a 5-2 edge in corner kicks.
Nick Torres (McPherson, Kan.),
Brayam De La Cruz (Bellevue, Idaho) and
David Mwinga (Santa Rosa, Calif.) each had two shots to lead McPherson. Of the Bulldogs' eight shots, only a De La Cruz attempt in the 11th minute registered as a shot on goal.
Lamparter played the first half in goal for McPherson, allowing two goals and making two saves.
Aaron Parrott (Wichita, Kan.) came on in relief to start the second half and made a save on the only shot on goal he faced.
Fay and Alex Hortal each had two shots for USAO, which saw eight players record an attempt.
Chris Brown made one save while posting a clean sheet for the Drovers.
"I have to give USAO credit because they took us out of our game in the opening half and we didn't adjust," said head coach Doug Quint. "I was really pleased with the second half we played, minus our finishing. We have to be more clinical in front of the goal."
The Bulldogs will spend Friday in Oklahoma training before wrapping up the trip with a game Saturday at Saint Gregory's University in Shawnee. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m.
