Tishomingo, Oklahoma – The Rich Mountain Bucks (4-4-3 overall; 1-3-3) faced the #16 Murray State Aggies (14-1-1 overall; 7-1-1) on Tuesday afternoon. The weather was beautiful and made it a great day for soccer. The Bucks trailed 1-0 at the half, but Coach Brian Byrd made some second half adjustments to make a late push. However, it wasn't enough. The Bucks would fall 3-2.
To start the first half, both teams were trying to fall into a rhythm. The Bucks would break the ice with a shot by Josh Gounden, before both teams would then trade shots and saves by their keepers. Edward Garcia made a great save for the Bucks' defense. After an Aggie yellow card, MSC was unsuccessful on another shot and had yet to put a ball on frame in the match. The Bucks would then fire two shots. Maurice Theart's shot was high, and Blake Elliott's was saved by the Aggie keeper. MSC put a ball on frame that hit the right post with the rebound shot being unsuccessful as well, but the Bucks would counter. Christian Encarnacion would put a ball on frame that was again saved by the MSC keeper. Gounden once again missed the frame a minute later. This allowed the Aggies to make a run and were successful converting. Daniel Diaz found the back of the net with a great played ball from teammate Claudio Tipote. The goal gave the Aggies a 1-0 lead. Another unsuccessful Theart goal took the game to intermission.
The Aggies looked to start fast and did. In the 46th minute, Jose Flores connected on another assist by Claudio Tipote to extend the Aggie lead to 2 goals. After the second goal, Coach Brian Byrd went to a more aggressive, offensive formation. The Bucks would continue to fight for possession and try to take control in the second half. Thomas Mullen would receive a yellow card in the 63rd minute, and it was followed by another Aggie yellow card four minutes later. After 3 unsuccessful Aggie attempts and a stoppage in play for an injury, MSC would take the ball down the field immediately for their third goal of the match. Ruben Carrasco dribbled through the Bucks defense to give the Aggies a 3-0 lead.
The Bucks would waste no time and never hung their heads. Four minutes later, Athlete of the Week, Caleb Summerfield, would find the back on the net on a great driven ball. The goal was assisted by Mackenzie Crerie to cut the Aggie lead down to 2 goals. The Aggies looked to maintain possession of the ball; however, an unsuccessful pass lead to the second goal for the Bucks. The pass went over the keepers head to give the Bucks a chance to tie the game late. Trailing 3-2 with five minutes to play, the Bucks were in desperation mode. But after two unsuccessful corner kicks, the Bucks would come up empty. The Aggies would pull out the victory, 3-2.
The Bucks (14 shots; 7 on goal) and Aggies (15 shots; 9 on goal) would be just about even on shot attempts. Edward Garcia would record 4 saves on the day, as did the MSC keeper. In a very physical and fast paced match, each team combined for 28 fouls. The Bucks would get 4 corner kicks to the Aggies 5 on the afternoon.
The Bucks will have a quick turn around and be back in action on Thursday, October 24th, at Rose State College. Kickoff is slated for 3 pm in Midwest City, Oklahoma.
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