OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Midwestern State's second Lone Star Conference match of the 2021 spring season was not quite what the team hoped. After 17 straight games since 1988, the Mustangs fell 1-2 in their first loss to Oklahoma Christian on Saturday afternoon at the Eagle Soccer Field.

"Collectively we did not play very well," Head Coach Michael Meachum said. "It was a very individual effort on our part."

The Mustangs started per usual with the first goal of the game in the 21st minute. Carlos Flores received a pass in-between the 18-yard box and the right sideline, but was not able to control it. The Eagles were able to clear the ball only as far as Julian Barajas who passed to Trevor Amann in the box. Amann took a big touch and almost got the shot off, but was tackled by OC goalkeeper, Anthony Trabichet. Fortunately, the ball bounced to Flores who dribbled towards the near post and passed diagonally to an open Barajas who buried the ball into the net.

This is Barajas first goal of the season and eighth career goal. This is Flores' first assist for 2021 and the 19th for his career.

The Eagles responded quickly with the equalizer in the 29th minute.

Following an offside call for the eagles, Midwestern State's failed play out of the back kept the ball in OC's offensive half. A long ball over the top of the defense from Pedro Ribeira found Ian Arendse between MSU's center and outside defenders. Arendse brought the ball down with his chest and beat his defender and the goalkeeper with the second touch in the goal.

Ribeira and Arendse found their first assist and goal of the year.

The half ended with MSU ahead on shots (9) and corners (6). OC had two shots and one corner. Lampe recorded one save while Trabichet made three.
The second period continued and Oklahoma City did not strike again until the 70th minute.

A poorly controlled ball in the midfield gave possession up to Oklahoma Christian. Arendse's one touch pass found D'Waylan McIntosh. The midfielder dribbled between two defenders, past another defender, and ripped a shot into the upper right hand corner. Lampe, surprised and off his line, could not dive far enough to push the ball away.

This was Arendse's first assist this season while McIntosh has his first career goal.

Riffled, the Mustangs pushed to find the tying goal.

"All the credit goes to Oklahoma Christian," Meachum noted. "Their back line cleared lots of balls and their keeper also made good saves."

Though the team put up 13 shots in the second half and had four corner kicks, the visitors could not convert. Trahichet made seven saves with ten total, a season high for the junior. In Lampe's first start of the year, the senior recorded two saves on five shots faced.

Flores led MSU with four shots and Amann added three with two on goal.

"We just needed a little better energy and mentality," Meachum explained. "We will see how we respond to this on Tuesday."

On Tuesday, March 9, MSU will head to Tyler, Texas, for another Lone Star Conference match, this time against UT Tyler. The match will kick off at 5:30 p.m. at Citizens 1stt Bank-Perkins Soccer Complex.