Clarksville, Ark.-The men's soccer team handed nationally-ranked Lyon College a 4-3 setback behind a pair of goals from Stewart Mena in the coaching debut of Aaron Brueckner.
In its season-opener, the Eagles (1-0-0) broke a 2-2 tie at halftime to give Brueckner his first coaching victory of his career. Lyon (1-2-0) found the net in the 12th minute, but Ozarks answered with a goal from Thomas Mills in the 25th minute. Lyon responded with a score in the 35th minute, but Ozarks again answered with a goal in the 43rd minute. That one came from Mena as he beat Lyon goalkeeper Edgar Lopez from ten yards out. Ozarks totaled three shots in the first half.
With the match tied 2-2, Lyon would score first in the second half, this time coming in the 67th minute. But Ozarks battled back to find the back of the net in the 83rd minute on a goal from Johnson Cijulus. Cijulus collected a loose ball and fired it from 12 yards out. Eventually, the Eagles would secure the match with a game-winner from Mena. Off a free kick, Mena would chip it in to push Ozarks to a 4-3 win.
Freshman goalkeeper Logan Gibson stopped four balls to earn his first victory.
Cijulus led Ozarks with three shots.
The Eagles will host the University of the Ozarks Tournament September 3-4. Ozarks will host Rhodes College Saturday and Hendrix College Sunday. University of Dallas will also play in the tournament.
