OKLAHOMA CITY – Senior midfielder Stephen Nganga scored a pair of goals, including the equalizer with 19 seconds left in regulation, but the No. 20 Mid-America Christian men's soccer team had a heartbreaking end to its home opener as (RV) Louisiana State University Shreveport defeated the Evangels 3-2 on a penalty kick goal in double OT on Wednesday.
Nganga made an incredible play near the end of regulation on his game-tying goal as he was able to slip past the defenders and send his close range shot just under the outreached arm of the LSUS goalkeeper.
However, Mid-America Christian (3-1) ran into misfortune in the 103rd minute when MACU was called for a yellow card inside the goal box, setting up Chris Eduardo's penalty kick that was just out of the reach of goalkeeper Austen Parker to close out the match.
The match got off to a slow start as neither squad could find an offensive rhythm. Despite dominating LSU Shreveport (3-1-1) in time of possession in the first half, the Pilots were the first to break through when the Pilots' Andres Carrasquela fired a shot that caromed off of Parker who made a diving save and the play was cleaned up by Jason Hogan on the putback in the 40th minute.
Moments later, LSUS added to its advantage as Alan Acuna was able to fire a long range shot toward the top right corner of the goal to make it a 2-nil game.
The Evangels had one last chance to push across a goal in the waning moments of the half, but Simon Van Rheeden's shot from the left side was saved as MACU went into the half down 2-nil.
Mid-America Christian was able to reclaim some momentum early in the second half. With 35:30 on the clock, Allan Sorato was able to find Nganga on a cross from the left side as he finished in the right corner, trimming the Evangels deficit to 2-1.
The Evangels missed on some close opportunities throughout the half, but cashed in when Simon Wieshemann's long pass deflected off the foot of Dejue Johnson and Nganga was in the right place at the right time to beat the defense off the touch to force overtime.
With Nganga's two goals, he moved into the team lead with three total on the year. Johnson, Sorato and Wieschemann each recorded an assist in the match while Parker dropped his first match in-goal this season, giving up three goals and made five saves.
Mid-America Christian will be back in-action this weekend as the Evangels will host Bethel College (Kan.) at 5:30 p.m. following the women's match at 3 p.m.
