ARKADELPHIA - The Ouachita Baptist University men's soccer team earned a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Harding University on Saturday afternoon at Kluck Field, using a late penalty kick from
Cody Tice to secure the conference win.
Ouachita controlled the pace of the match from the opening whistle, generating several early scoring opportunities before breaking through in the 17th minute. Sophomore midfielder
Andrew Castellanos created his own opportunity with a dribble drive down the left-center portion of the penalty area before finding the back of the net. The unassisted goal was Castellanos' fourth of the season and gave the Tigers an early 1-0 advantage.
The Tigers continued to apply offensive pressure throughout the opening half, outshooting Harding 6-0 while placing four attempts on target. Ouachita goalkeeper
Isaac Murie and the Tiger defense kept the Bisons from registering a shot during the first 45 minutes, allowing Ouachita to carry its one-goal lead into halftime.
Harding responded with increased offensive pressure in the second half and eventually found the equalizer in the 65th minute to even the score at 1-1.
With the match tied, Ouachita quickly regained control of the offensive momentum. The Tigers generated several opportunities over the next 10 minutes, including attempts from Tice,
Eric Godoy,
Ryan Armijo and Philip Bolk.
The decisive moment came in the 76th minute when Castellanos drew a foul inside the box. Tice stepped up to take the ensuing penalty kick and converted at the 76:10 mark, sending the ball off the Harding goalkeeper's hands and into the right side of the net. The goal marked Tice's second of the season and restored Ouachita's lead at 2-1.
Ouachita continued to threaten offensively following the go-ahead goal, with Tice recording two additional attempts and Castellanos forcing another save in the 79th minute. The Tiger defense held firm over the final minutes, limiting Harding to just one more shot attempt to preserve the victory.
The Tigers finished with a commanding 16-4 advantage in total shots, including a 7-1 edge in shots on goal.
Castellanos led the Tigers offensively with five shots, including four on goal. He is now tied with Bolk for most goals this season with four. Tice matched Castellanos with five shot attempts and recorded the game-winning goal, while Armijo added two shots off the bench. Murie played all 90 minutes in goal for Ouachita, earning his fourth victory of the season.
The Tigers take on league-leading Fort Hays State on Thursday, October 22 at 6 p.m. in Hays, Kansas.
