(August 28, 2022) Mena, Arkansas – Coming off what has been a very emotional week for the Bucks Soccer programs, the men took the field on Sunday afternoon for the first time without their teammate, Brayden Autry. The Bucks were facing off against the Rose State Raiders this afternoon at Tapley Park.
The Bucks started with 10 players to honor Brayden Autry (Aubrey, TX) after a ceremony that included his parents, family, and friends. After the kickoff, the Bucks maintained possession for the first 10 minutes of the match that included 3 shots on goal. Rose State would counter and hold possession for the next 7 minutes, before the Bucks made a counter of their own to flip the field. Both teams would go back and forth until the midway water break.
Both teams continued to go back and forth until the Bucks were able to fire a shot off target in the 30th minute and continued to press. After play went back and forth, Rose State made a push in the 42nd minute, but the Raiders were unsuccessful, and the match went to halftime tied at 0-0. The Bucks attempted 12 shots in the half and put 8 on frame.
The Raiders took the kickoff to start the second half and had opportunities off Bucks mistakes in the first 10 minutes of the half. The Bucks countered, but they were unsuccessful. Both teams continued to go back and forth until the 64th minute when the Bucks would put a header on goal, but the Raiders keeper was there for the save. The Bucks continued to press into the mid-half water break. The Bucks and Raiders continued to go back and forth until the Bucks broke down defensively. The Raiders chipped the Bucks goalkeeper at 78:57 to take the lead 1-0.
The Bucks took the kickoff, continued to press, and had opportunities, but the game would end with the Raiders winning 1-0.
The Bucks continue region play on Sunday, September 4th, at Murray State College.
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