(October 9, 2022) Mena, Arkansas – After a week full of matches, the Bucks returned home to cap off their week on Sophomore Day. The Bucks took on Crowder College from Region 16 this afternoon in a non-conference matchup. This was the men's last game at Aubrey D. Tapley Park for the season. Before the match, the Bucks 13 sophomores were honored, including #25 Brayden Autry (Aubrey, TX).
The Bucks took the opening kickoff and quickly gave possession to the Roughriders. The Bucks played on their heels for roughly 15 minutes into the first half. The Bucks did counter around the 17th minute and played a couple of great balls across in front of the net but were not able to get a shot on goal. Play continued in the midfield before Crowder countered and got a corner kick that resulted in a goal on a Bucks mistake in the 23rd minute of the match to make it 1-0 in favor of the Roughriders. The Bucks would take control for majority of the final minutes in the half, but they were unsuccessful in putting a ball in the goal.
The second half saw the Bucks maintain possession of the ball with the Roughriders making counters. Neither team had many shots on the goal. The momentum changed for the Bucks in the 84th minute when Christopher Tarr (Durban, South Africa) played a ball from outside the box and found the head of Antonio Galarzo (Mallorca, Spain) to tie the match at 1-1, and the match would go into overtime.
In overtime, Crowder controlled the game for much of the first 5 minutes, but the Bucks countered and got the ball inside the box. After a few unsuccessful shots, a handball on Crowder setup the penalty kick for Antonio Galarzo. The try was successful, and the Bucks would pick up their second OT win at home in back-to-back matches.
The Bucks have the week off and play again on Sunday, October 16th, at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in Miami, OK.
#GOBUCKS