WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- Junior
Mere Escobar struck twice in a span of 29 seconds to lift No. 4 Midwestern State to a 2-0 win over 17th-ranked Oklahoma Christian Wednesday night at Stang Park.
The swift shift in momentum put the match out of reach for the Eagles, who fell from the ranks of the unbeaten to 6-1-1.
"Oklahoma Christian was highly motivated and made it difficult on us all night," MSU coach
Michael Meachum said. "They made us have poor reactions and bad body language in the first. I give our guys credit. They put their best foot forward in the second half and we were able to come away with the win."
The Eagles controlled 57-percent possession edge in the opening half and managed five shots placing three on goal.
But Oklahoma Christian failed to take advantage of a few careless turnovers in the attacking third including a golden opportunity in the 40th minute when Diego Casero Comeche slid a shot just left of the far post.
That came moments after Isaias Silva got on the end of an over-the-top pass, but MSU goalkeeper
Adam Braman raced off of his line take the shot off of Silva's boot.
Midwestern State took control in the second half in terms of possession and momentum.
Escobar worked for the opener in the 64th minute pushing the OC defender toward the left post before cutting back to rip a patented right-footed shot just inside the far post.
The Austin native finished off his second brace of the season and fifth of his career in the 65th minute. This time by taking a pass from
Rory Doyle and again cutting back to this left foot to whip a shot across the box just inside the far post to give the Mustangs a commanding 2-0 lead.
Oklahoma Christian goalkeeper Frynn Koerner denied Escobar a look at his second collegiate hat trick by making a sprawling save pushing another left-footed blast over the cross bar in the 77th minute.
Sophomore goalkeeper
Adam Braman made three saves to register his fourth clean sheet while improving to 4-0-1. The Mercer Island, Wash. native has permitted just one goal in 473 minutes this season for a 0.19 goals against average.
Midwestern State battles Lubbock Christian Saturday afternoon in Lubbock. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.
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-- MSUMustangs.com --
