OKLAHOMA CITY – For the second time in five days, junior forward Rodrigo Albuquerque delivered the game-winner on a penalty kick in the 27^th minute as the Mid-America Christian men's soccer team stifled Arizona Christian to wrap-up its three-match home stand with a 2-0 victory over the Firestorm on Thursday afternoon.

 
SCORING SUMMARY

• 1^st Half
  • MACU – 26:37 – Goal: Rodrigo Albuquerque (4) – MACU 1, ACU 0
• 2^nd Half
  • MACU – 71:13 – Goal: Dante Luz (1), Assists: Hector Valles, Rodrigo Albuquerque – MACU 2, ACU 0

 

MATCH SUMMARY

• Mid-America Christian (3-0) struggled to capitalize on opportunities early, but were able to breakthrough in the 27^th minute after Rodrigo Albuquerque was tripped up inside the goal box, setting up a penalty kick. On the free attempt, Albuquerque launched his shot with pinpoint precision into the top right corner of the net to bring the score to 1-nil.
• Albuquerque just missed on his opportunity for a second goal when Hector Valles laid out a gorgeous pass for the Recife, Brazil native on the left side of the box, but his seven-yard blast ricochet off the crossbar to keep the game at 1-0 with just over 20 minutes remaining.
• Two minutes later, the Evangels finally broke through in the second half when some fantastic ball movement between Albuquerque and Valles set up Dante Luz for a wide-open point blank shot inside the right post on a strong cross from left by Valles to make it a two-goal advantage.
• Arizona Christian (1-2) had an opportunity to cut into the Evangels lead with just under four minutes remaining when a foul was called on MACU just outside the 18-yard box. However, Juan Cediel was able to make an incredible leaping save on Aiden Abbitt's free kick, pushing the ball out the right side to secure the shutout win.

 
MATCH NOTABLES

• The Evangels were in control from start to finish, outshooting Arizona Christian 27-6, which included a 9-3 edge in shots on-goal. MACU held the Firestorm to just one off-target shot through the entire first half.
• Rodrigo Albuquerque continued to build upon his team's goals and points total. Albuquerque finished with a goal and an assist for three points, extending his season goals total to four and his points total to 10.
• Dante Luz scored his first career goal with Mid-America Christian.
• Juan Cediel picked up his second shutout in three games as he came up with three big saves in the match to preserve the clean sheet. Cediel improved his goals against average to 0.33 and his save percentage to .875 on the season.

 
NEXT UP
Mid-America Christian will head to Wichita, Kansas on Oct. 17 as the Evangels will take on Manhattan Christian (Kan.) in their first match away from Evangel Field in the 2020-21 season. The Evangels will kick-off against the Thunder at 6:30 p.m. inside the Stryker Sports Complex.