Posted: Sep 08, 2024
(September 8, 2024) Miami, Oklahoma - Coming off a tough home loss on Monday, the Bucks wanted to rebound Sunday afternoon at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. The men entered the contest 0-1 in region play, while NEO was 2-0 ahead of the contest.
The game got off to the worst possible start for the Bucks, conceding a goal from a corner in the opening minutes of the game. An NEO player was allowed a free header from 6 yards out which was impossible to save. The Bucks put this set back behind and slowly, inch by inch, played themselves back into the game. NEO dominated the ball, but after a few changes were made tactically and with personnel, the Bucks were able to keep the Norsemen at arms length for the rest of the half.
For the second half the Bucks came out with a box system in the midfield to crowd the center of the field. This stifled the NEO attack and created good counter attack possibilities for UARM as both wings were cutting in on goal for shots. The second half was a much more even game with the Bucks having their fair share of the ball and attacking play in the final third. In the last few minutes of the game, Ebrima Jobe (Memphis,TN) pushed forward from defensive duties in one last desperate push for a goal. The effect was immediate! Fransisco Arratia (Puerto Varas, Chile) found himself free in midfield and played a delicate chip over the head of the central defender. Jobe showed power and speed to hold off a defender and slot home past the advancing keeper. The Bcks bench jumped up as one to celebrate, and the joy in the team was very evident. With only one minute to go, NEO had two corners which the Bucks had to defend and see out the clock. The men got the well deserved draw with NEO, 1-1.
After the game, Coach Sherry stated, "A great comeback tie on the road against a team who does not concede any goals. It was a bad start, but the boys showed a lot of character to come back like that. The most pleasing thing for me is seeing that we are getting better with every game we play."
The Bucks will play again on Wednesday against last year's Region II Champions and National Tournament qualifier, Murray State College. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 pm Tapley Park.
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