STERLING, Kan. – The Ottawa University soccer team claimed a hard-fought 2-1 win over the Sterling Warriors on the road Wednesday evening. The Braves 5-2-1 record following the win over the Warriors is the best start to a season since 2012, when OU went 4-4 in the first eight games.
The Braves were able to strike first in the 10
th minute, taking a 1-0 lead following
Bence Molnar's team-high eighth goal of the season.
Slobodan Novicevic set up Molnar's goal from the penalty spot on a quick counterattack, receiving a long ball over the top from
Jack Hatswell and dribbling down into the box before getting taken down for the penalty.
The Braves were able to double their lead 15 minutes later, with a second goal in just as many games from
Patrick Wyatt off another set piece.
Alonso Basauri whipped in a corner that bounced around several times, with Wyatt finding the ball in the scramble and scorching it into goal from point blank range to give the Braves a 2-0 lead in the 25
th minute.
Given the amount of Warriors chances, they were able to finally sneak one in 10 minutes before halftime with a goal from Warriors' leading scorer Jacobo Sanfeliu in the 35
th minute. Sterling had eight shots on target in the first half, forcing seven saves from Braves' keeper
Gage Powers. Following the Warriors' goal, the Braves headed into halftime up 2-1.
All the scoring would be done in the first half, with both teams deadlocked in the second half. Feeling the pressure of being down by one goal, Sterling put up 6 second half shots on target in attempt to find an equalizer. This time it was
Julio Coronado as the Braves' keeper between the posts, making six saves in the second half. By the end of regulation Sterling had outshot OU 21-9, but the Braves were more clinical and efficient by making the most of their chances in the 2-1 win.
From Coach Cottage:
"Fantastic to get off to the start we have had. Shows the true strength of this squad, their focus and discipline on taking everything one game at a time. I'm extremely proud of this group who have come together very quickly. Although we have a long way to go with much more soccer to play, it's always good when a team starts off strongly."
Up Next: The Braves head to Leavenworth on Saturday for a 3:30 pm matchup against the Saint Mary Spires.
