(September 7, 2022) Mena, Arkansas – Coming off an overtime loss to Murray State, the Bucks looked to rebound this afternoon at Aubrey D. Tapley Park on their home field against the Eastern Oklahoma State College. The Mountaineers come into today's match with a 0-1-1 record in region play, having their last region game get suspended due to weather. The Bucks enter 1-2 in the region and 1-3 overall. Last season, the Bucks lost both regular season matches but beat the Mountaineers in the Region II Tournament on penalty kicks.
In a game that went back and forth for nearly the first 20 minutes, the Bucks got their first offensive look at the goal in the 18th minute on cross inside the 18-yard box that was intercepted by the Mountaineers. Nearly 2 minutes later, the Mountaineers broke down the Bucks defense for a goal that ricochet off the left post into the net at 20:48 to take the early 1-0 lead. The Bucks did not get many more opportunities and trailed 1-0 at the half.
In the second half, Eastern extended their lead at 49:51 with a goal. The Mountaineers controlled the second half until the mid-point water break. After the break, the Bucks controlled the ball offensively and had a few shots at the goal, but the Mountaineers countered and maintained possession and score a third goal at 80:05 off the fingertips of goalkeeper Jess Douglas (Gateshead, England), which would be the final score. Douglas recorded 16 saves in the contest.
The Bucks play again on Sunday, September 11th, at Crowder College in Neosho, MO. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 pm.
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