Tonkawa, Oklahoma – The Bucks (4-2-3 overall, 1-1-3) would wrap up the first round of Region II play at NOC Tonkawa (2-8-1 oveall, 1-3-1) on Thursday evening. The Bucks would find the back of the net in the first half, but NOC did the same midway in the second half. The score would stand after double overtime periods, 1-1.
To begin the first half, the Bucks looked to take control early with 2 shots by Josh Gounden (Durban, South Africa) and Maurice Theart (Parklands, South Africa). NOC would counter with a shot of their own. The Bucks received a corner kick shortly after and took advantage. Bryan Crespo (Broussard, Canada) would use the corner as a pass to teammate Josh Gounden. Gounden would find his South African counterpart, Euwin Stevens (Cape Town, South Africa) for the Bucks goal in the 25th minute. Thomas Mullen (Strabane, Ireland) would receive a yellow card after an unlucky slide tackle a few minutes later. The Bucks and Mavs would trade possession and shot (2 apiece) to finish the first half in favor of the Bucks.
The Bucks wanted to start the second half the same as the first. Theart and Rodrigo de Castro (Goiania, Brazil) would both take shots. NOC would counter and maintain possession. The Mavs fired two shots that were saved by keeper Edward Garcia (De Queen, AR) and defender Bo Meyer (Ghent, Belgium). Meyer would receive a yellow card shortly after. NOC maintained possession, but Garcia would make another save for the Bucks' defense. After a NOC yellow card, the Bucks countered with a corner kick and shot by Romario Abraham (Kitchener, Ontario). However, NOC would make a counter of their own. After an unsuccessful corner, the Mavs would get the rebound and scored. #20 Kareem Williams found the back of the net with an assist from #10 Gio Herrera in the 72nd minute. The Bucks and Mavs would both take three shots a piece to finish the half deadlocked at 1 goal apiece.
In overtime, the both teams started the way they finished. On a set piece, Josh Gounden put a shot on frame that was saved by the NOC keeper. NOC countered but their shot was denied by defender, Euwin Stevens. Both teams continued to trade possessions to find the winning goal. No attempt was successful. A second overtime was needed, but no shot attempts would be taken. The match would end in a draw, 1-1.
NOC would outshoot the Bucks 18 (7 on goal) to 15 (8 on goal). The Mavs had 6 corner kicks to the Bucks 4. Edward Garcia recorded 3 saves on the day, while the Mavs keeper had 7.
The Bucks will be back in action on Sunday, October 6th, when Northeastern Oklahoma A&M comes to Bearcat Stadium. Kickoff will be at 3 pm.
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