(September 22, 2024) Mena, Arkansas - After a 1-0 loss on Wednesday at NOC-Enid, the Bucks were still looking for their first region win of the season. Connors State College made the trip to Tapley Park on Sunday afternoon to take on the Bucks. From the usual tradition of playing after the women, the Bucks played first on Sunday.

 

After coming off a disappointing road loss last week, this game had a 'must win' kind of feel to it for UARM. It was important they didn't start to be set adrift at the bottom and needed points quickly to keep their goal of reaching post season play still within their grasp.

 

Connors State had the better of the opening minutes, switching play from wing-to-wing and midfield interchanging with forwards making life very difficult for the Bucks defensive shape. As a result, UARM made a few positional adjustments, and this enabled the Bucks to start to dominate possession themselves. During this period of dominance, the Bucks had the ball in the net when Konrad Maciejak (Armadale, Scotland) headed home on the rebound after the goalkeeper had saved from a header by Ebrima Jobe (Memphis, TN). However, the goal was disallowed for an offside from the original free kick into the box.  Very soon afterwards, Maciejak had another chance to score at the far post after being found in the penalty area with a delicate pass by Juan David Arrieta (Bogotá, Colombia), but the shot was saved by the keeper to stop the attack.The first half ended as a stalemate with UARM on top and dominating possession, but Connors State looked dangerous on quick counter attacks.

 

The second half started as the first half had ended with UARM prodding and probing trying to open up a stubborn Connors defense. The break came in the 70^th minute when a free kick was awarded to Bucks 25 yards out from the Connors goal. Juan David Arrieta stepped up and his kick deflected off the wall and left the goalkeeper stranded on his right post as the ball rolled inside the opposite post to make it 1-0.

 

The Bucks didn't take their foot off the accelerator and kept pushing for the 2^nd goal which came in 83rd minute. Taylor Marange (Nuneaton, England) drove down the left wing, beating his defender, and delivered a wonderful left-footed cross into the center of the goal. Miles Kairschner (West Monroe, LA) came in off the right wing to attack the ball and his huge jump caused the ball to drop onto the edge of the penalty area where Francisco Arratia (Puerto Varas, Chile) was running into to support the play and finished with a wonderful one time shot into the corner of the net. This was the security the Bucks needed, and they used this 2 goal cushion to see the game out for a well deserved win.

 

In goal, Brandon McDaniel (McAlester, OK) recorded a clean sheet with 3 saves on the afternoon.

 

Coach Kevin Sherry was excited and happy for his team. "This was a performance of top quality today. I was delighted with the team organization and execution of what was needed form them as individuals and as a team. I think this was our most 'complete' performance of the season so far. We are learning from our previous mistakes and as a result our performances are improving giving us great hope we can achieve our goal of playing in the post season tournament."

 

The men now turn their focus to Rose State College on Wednesday. Kickoff is set for 3 pm in Midwest City, OK.