Pineville, La.-The U of O men's soccer team scored three goals in the second half and didn't allow Louisiana College to score until the 87th minute in a big 3-1 American Southwest Conference road win Friday.
Neither team generated enough offense to score in the first half, but the Eagles (6-5-2, 2-1-1 ASC) eventually exploded for three goals in the final 37 minutes of the match. Layne Garcia netted a goal in the 54th minute to put Ozarks in front 1-0. Thomas Mills added another goal in the 65th minute and Matt Weaver scored his fourth goal of the season in the 76th minute to give Ozarks a 3-0 lead. Louisiana College (5-4-4, 1-1-3 ASC) scored with just minutes to go in the match to make it 3-1.
"The guys responded in the second half and our forwards of Matt Weaver, Thomas Mills, Bryce Young and Daniel Arend really turned the game on to our side with a great work rate that produced three second half goals," said Head Coach Matt Torok. "We still need to learn to manage the game in the waning moments and not allow goals under the five-minute mark and be more disciplined in closing matches out. Austin Hedgpeth really stepped up and clogged the middle for us in the second half. Austin, along with the forwards, proved to be the difference in the match."
Austin Benner posted three saves in goal for Ozarks.
"We were fortunate to keep it 0-0 in the first 45 minutes. Louisiana College was a very talented team and generated an impressive offensive attack. Our young guys struggled with the travel once again and came out really slow in the first half."
Ozarks will travel to Marshall, Texas, to face East Texas Baptist University Saturday. A pregame party with U of O President Richard Dunsworth will be held at JUCY'S from 10:00 am - 11:30 am.
