Midwest City, Oklahoma – The Rich Mountain Bucks (4-4-4 overall; 1-3-4) faced the Rose State Raiders (9-7-1 overall; 5-4-1) in a crucial Region II match. The weather didn't get in better from the women's match. The rain was absent for most of the match, but the wind and cold remained. The Bucks and Raiders would play 110 minutes (double overtime) of back and forth soccer. The match would end, 3-3.
In the first half, the match would begin on the campus of Rose State in Midwest City. The Bucks and Raiders would trade possessions to begin the match. Early on in the match, #13 Abduquadri Bolakale found the back of the net to give the Raiders an early lead. However, the Bucks would counter. Midway in the half, Maurice Theart stole a Raiders' pass and went the distance. His shot was too much for the keeper to handle and snuck across the goal line. Theart's goal tied the match 1-1. The match would be delayed in the 37th minute due to field conditions and moved to Midwest City High School to finish on a turf field. After the delay, neither team could muster any offensive production to end the half.
After a short intermission, the second half kicked off and would be very eventful. The Raiders took the lead midway through the second half on a goal by #17 Sergio Becerra. Once again, the Bucks rose to the occasion. After a Raiders' foul, Josh Gounden found the back of the net off a free kick to knot the game at 2 goals apiece. The action wasn't over yet. The Bucks took the lead on another Maurice Theart goal. He connected on a great pass from Thomas Mullen to give the Bucks a 3-2 lead. Rose State answered the bell on a defensive breakdown by the Bucks. On a Raiders' corner kick, #15 Jake Devault tied the match at 3-3. The Bucks didn't account for each Rose State player. The late goal sent the match to overtime.
In the overtime periods, both teams got looks at the goal, but all were unsuccessful. In a match that seemed to be control by the Bucks, the game would in a draw, 3-3. In the effort, the Bucks would have 29 shots on the day. Josh Gounden accounted for 10 on his own. Edward Garcia recorded 10 saves to his stat line on the evening.
The Bucks have two important matches on Sunday, October 27th, and Tuesday, October 29th, to try and punch their ticket into the Region 2 Tournament. Both matches will be played at Bearcat Stadium in Mena.
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