Soccer Men Fall to SNU in Region Tourney

BETHANY – A header off a simple chip pass ended the USAO men’s soccer season Friday in the NAIA Region VI tournament. The Drovers fell to No. 14 Southern Nazarene 2-1 in the first match of the four-team tournament.

With the loss, USAO ended its season at 13-8-1 overall. It was the Drovers’ fourth appearance in the regional tournament over the program’s seven-year history. USAO is winless in those four trips, including a loss last season to John Brown, Ark., and back-to-back trips in 1998 and 1999.

On Friday, top-seeded Southern Nazarene got on the board first in the 24^th minute with a chip shot by Dominique Nayaga on a pass from Harouna Pare.  Just before halftime, USAO’s Nene Coulibally scored the equalizer on a penalty kick in the 37^th minute. It was the senior’s 11^th goal of the season.

In the opening minutes of halftime, SNU’s Pare chased a loose ball to the corner and collided with USAO goalkeeper Elliott Ballmann. The referee immediately ejected Ballmann, which forced the Drovers to play with a man down and replace their only goalkeeper. Coach Jimmy Hampton called on junior Sean Neal.

In his first-ever collegiate game in goal, Neal faced a borage of shots from the Crimson Storm and finished with an impressive 11 saves. Neal did allow the game-winner by Billy Alven, who put away a header on a pass from Daniel Agina.

In just under 49 minutes, Ballmann finished with three saves and allowed a goal. SNU goalkeeper David Eguren finished with five saves and surrendered a goal.

Including Ballmann’s red card, six Drovers received cards and officials whistled both teams for 31 fouls. Sophomore Tom Hubbard received a yellow card in the 26^th minute; sophomore Adam Day, yellow, 57^th minute; Hampton, yellow, 73^rd minute; sophomore Keith Ooten, 80^th minute; sophomore Augustine Osese, red, 90^th minute.