McPHERSON, Kan. (macbulldogs.com) --- The McPherson College men's soccer team was 38 seconds away from forcing a second overtime session, but a rebound goal by Joe Williams allowed the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) to escape with a 2-1 overtime win Thursday evening at McPherson Stadium.
After a scoreless first half that saw McPherson hold a 6-4 advantage in shots and USAO lead 3-2 in corner kicks, it was the Drovers (4-2-1) that struck first. In the 54th minute, Abdel Nait-Zerrad drove deep into the corner before finding Llewellyn Davis cutting to the goal. After a stutter step, he fired a shot into the upper right corner of the goal that Bulldog goalkeeper
Jose Alonso (Wichita, Kan., Derby HS) was not able to get a glove on.
The Bulldogs (1-4) responded five minutes later as
Greg Roller (Topeka, Kan., Pratt CC) took a pass from
Hernan Maldonado (National City, Calif., San Diego Mesa College), made a spin and beat Drover keeper Daniel Merkel with a low shot to the lower right 90 from 10 yards out.
USAO had an 11-1 advantage in shots in the second half, but neither team would find the back of the net again in regulation.
McPherson had an early opportunity in the overtime session, but a shot by
Diego Loza (San Diego, Calif., San Diego Mesa College) sailed high. USAO followed with a shot from Juan Lucas that was picked out of the air by a diving Alonso. Alonso's ensuing punt was headed on by Roller, leaving a free ball between Merkel and
Christopher Kelly (Glasgow, Scotland, St. Ambrose HS). Merkel won the foot race and scooped the ball out of harm's way.
In the final minute of the extra session, Loza was called for a foul just outside the 18. The ensuing free kick by Butch Hampton was deflected by the McPherson two-man wall on to the foot of Evans. Evans then found Williams on a cross directly in front of the goal. While Alonso was able to turn away Williams' initial shot, he could not get a hand on the rebound shot.
The Bulldogs finished with eight shots - three on goal - led by three from Roller and two by Kelly. Maldonado and
Edward Gomez (Lancaster, Calif., College of the Canyons) accounted for the remaining shots.
Alonso finished with four saves.
Evans led USAO with three shots, including two on goal, while Merkel had a pair of saves.
With a rugged nonconference slate now behind them, the Bulldogs will now face Sterling College in their Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) opener at 5 p.m. next Wednesday in Sterling.
