Warriors Stay Atop KCAC Standings After Tie With #10 OKWU

Sterling, Kan. – It was a tale of two halves as the Sterling Men's Soccer team welcomed #10 Oklahoma Wesleyan University to campus for a chance to sit at the top of the KCAC standings mid way through the season. These two teams were the only two teams that remained unbeaten in the KCAC this season. The first half was owned by the Eagles and the second half was a great response by Sterling, who owned the last 45 minutes.

It did not take long for OKWU to get things going, scoring in the 11^th minute to take the early lead. As the first half moved on, the Eagles tacked on two more goals, one in the 31^st minute and a late goal in the 43^rd minute, just before time expired in the first half. But that was all the Eagles mustered in the match. Sterling trailed 3-0 at the break.

Undeterred by the three goal deficit, Sterling aggressively came out in the second half with a purpose. Mateus Lara got the second half scoring started in the 53^rd minute with an assist from Stevy Kama. Just eight minutes later, Angel Jimenez-Cortes cut the lead to one with a goal of his own. The score was 3-2 with a lot of time to play in the contest. It took another 22 minutes of the Warriors putting pressure on the OKWU defense before Keegan Witbooi found the back of the net and tied it up. With just over 5 minutes left in regulation, the Warriors were tied with the perennial powerhouse of the KCAC. Time expired with the teams tied at 3. Last season, college soccer did away with overtime periods so the game ended in a tie. Neither team walked away claiming the top spot in the KCAC, but have to share the spot as co-leaders for now. As you look at the standings, Sterling is placed higher because of record. Sterling is 8-2-1 (5-0-1) this season and OKWU is 6-1-3 (5-0-1).

Marcelo Fuentes played all 90 minutes in goal for Sterling and gave up the 3 goals and had 4 saves. OKWU outshot Sterling 13-11 and both teams had a pair of corner kicks. As the season wears on we will see how these two teams finish. Perhaps there will be a match in the KCAC postseason that is just as intense and exciting as this match.

The Warriors are on the road next week, facing Tabor College on Wednesday and Friends University on Saturday. Game times are at 7 pm Wednesday and 5 pm Saturday.

Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #SwordsUp. Watch all of the Warriors' live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.