Enid, Oklahoma – The Rich Mountain Bucks (8-3-5 overall; 4-2-4) faced the Rose State College Raiders (12-6-1 overall; 7-2-1) in the Region 2 Championship on Sunday afternoon. This was the rubber match between the two school. The Bucks lost at home and tied the Raiders in Midwest City.
To start the first half, the Raiders controlled the first 10 minutes of the game and got multiple looks at the goal. Keeper Edward Garcia made a few nice saves to keep the Raiders scoreless. In the 19th minute, a 2 v 1 situation presented itself, and the Bucks capitalized with a goal. Thomas Mullen baited the defender with a great pass to Trevor Lewis to put the Bucks on the board. Rose State tried to counter, but the Bucks maintained possession for the remainder of the half. On a throw in, Caleb Summerfield found the shoulder of Mackenize Crerie for the second Bucks goal in the 30th minute. Both teams went back and forth for the remainder of the half. Bucks took a 2-0 lead to the locker room.
Rose State tried stealing any momentum the Bucks had in the second half. The Raiders controlled the entire half of play, and the Bucks did not attempt a shot the entire half. The Raiders connected in a controversial goal in the 78th minute of play by #10 Justin Croke. The ball appeared to go off the post, and Edward Garcia would save it. Upon further review by the officials, it was ruled a goal. The Raiders continued to press, but the Bucks defense held strong. The Bucks would win 2-1 and become the 2019 Region 2 Champions in their first season!!
The Bucks had 4 players selected to the Region 2 All-Tournament Team: Josh Gounden, Euwin Stevens, Thomas Mullen, and Rodrigo De Castro. DeQueen native, Edward Garcia, was named the Region 2 Tournament MVP.
With the win, the Bucks advance to the Plains District in Wichita, Kansas. The Bucks will face Johnson County out of Kansas City, KS on Wednesday, November 7th at 7 pm. The District Tournament is November 6th and 7th. The winner advances to the National Tournament in Tyler, TX.
#GOBUCKS