TULSA, Okla. - Oral Roberts (2-6-1) secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Central Arkansas (1-6-2) in a back-and-forth conference matchup on Tuesday evening at the Case Soccer Complex, with both teams combining for five goals in an entertaining contest.
The match featured multiple lead changes, with both teams finding offensive rhythm throughout the 90 minutes. Emilio Cazares and Benjamin Morgan led the attacking efforts for Oral Roberts, while Central Arkansas countered through Maxim Sheenkov and Devonte Richards, who both registered dangerous attempts on goal.
The first half saw Oral Roberts establish early control, with Emilio Cazares testing the Central Arkansas defense in the 5th minute with a shot that sailed high. Central Arkansas responded through Aby Gomez's attempt in the 10th minute, followed by Noa Bamballi's strike in the 11th minute. The tactical battle intensified as Matheo Francou picked up a foul in the 16th minute, reflecting the competitive nature of the midfield exchanges.
The second half brought increased intensity, with Jeff Mesidor immediately threatening for Oral Roberts in the 46th minute. Michael Oliveri and Garner Wolfe created dangerous opportunities for Central Arkansas around the 50th minute mark. The match's complexion changed significantly when Michael Oliveri received a yellow card in the 62nd minute for unsporting behavior. The final stages saw dramatic developments, including a red card to Central Arkansas's Javier Ramirez in the 89th minute for violent conduct.
Statistical dominance favored Oral Roberts, who outshot Central Arkansas 13-10, including a 10-4 advantage in shots on target. The home side also held a significant edge in corner kicks (9-3), demonstrating their territorial advantage throughout the match. Both teams showed discipline was an issue, with each side receiving multiple cards - including yellows to Oliveri and Vaclav Kozeny for Central Arkansas, and cautions to Ronardo Burgher and Emilio Cazares for Oral Roberts.
Several players stood out individually during the contest. Emilio Cazares was particularly influential for Oral Roberts, registering multiple shots and maintaining consistent offensive pressure. Central Arkansas's Devonte Richards showed impressive form with several threatening attempts, while Maxim Sheenkov demonstrated his attacking prowess before being substituted in the 34th minute.
The tactical approach from both sides emphasized attacking football, with Oral Roberts utilizing their width effectively through their superior corner kick count. Central Arkansas attempted to counter through quick transitions, evidenced by their shot attempts from Richards and Oliveri. The substitution patterns, including multiple changes around the 65th minute mark, showed both coaches actively trying to influence the match's trajectory.
This victory marks a significant momentum shift for Oral Roberts, snapping a challenging run of form that included recent losses to Creighton and Drake. For Central Arkansas, the defeat extends their winless streak, following a draw against Queens (NC) in their previous outing.
The match's defining moments came in the latter stages, with both teams pushing for victory until the final whistle. The late dismissal of Ramirez added another layer of drama to an already intense encounter, ultimately helping Oral Roberts secure their second win of the season.
Looking ahead, Oral Roberts will aim to build on this victory when they travel to face St. Thomas (MN) on October 4th, while Central Arkansas looks to rebound at home against Bellarmine on October 5th.