SALINA, Kan. - With goals from
Mateo Trigo and
Cale Scott on either side of halftime and the fifth shutout of the season by
Alex Neri, no. 9 Ottawa put itself firmly back in the driver's seat for the KCAC regular-season title with a 2-0 win at Kansas Wesleyan on Saturday. The Braves have extended their unbeaten streak to 10 matches and currently hold a game in hand over Oklahoma Wesleyan, which drew at McPherson.
The Braves dominated the early possession against Kansas Wesleyan, seeming content to pass the ball around in search of the incisive final pass. The Coyotes were much less patient, on the other hand, collecting seven fouls and four cautions within the first 20 minutes of the match.
Scott nearly opened the scoring on the third of those four cautions, as the foul was whistled in a dangerous spot just outside the penalty area, but his 15th-minute shot was blocked by the KWU wall.
Ottawa was finally able to break through in the 24th minute, after earning a throw in on the right side of the field.
Leo Mautret sent a long cross to
Juan Lopez-Arteaga, who found
Antonio Natalucci in space. After a quick turn, Natalucci found Trigo, with the sophomore madrileño carving through five Coyote defenders before beating Andrew Cole to the far post.
Scott nearly doubled the lead for the Black-and-Gold in the 27th minute, creating his own chance on the left side of the field. After dribbling past a pair of KWU defenders toward the goal line, he cut back level with the six-yard box and hit a low driven shot that was just parried by Cole.
Kansas Wesleyan found a brief spot of possession in the waning moments of the first half, even springing Jose Valdez for a breakaway counter in the 42nd minute, but Neri calmly stared down Valdez during the 1-on-1 opportunity and made the stop.
Both sides picked up where they left off after the halftime break, with Ottawa creating a flurry of chances over the first 15 minutes of the second half.
Kansas Wesleyan was able to find a pair of mediocre efforts in the second half, as Valdez's 64th-minute shot from 30 yards out was blocked and Max Hunt's shot from 40 barely tested Neri in the 65th.
Moments later, it looked as if Ottawa would have an opportunity to double its lead on a penalty kick.
Simon Kindt rounded Emilio Rodriguez on left side of the field and cut back, but Rodriguez recovered to tackle the ball away over the end line as the pair crossed into the 18-yard box. As the pair tumbled to the ground, the center referee blew his whistle and pointed to the spot, but after consulting with his assistant referee on the far side, it was correctly ruled a corner kick.
Natalucci put Cole to the test on the ensuing corner, but his shot at the far post was well covered.
The Braves nearly struck again in the 71st after earning a free kick level with the top of the 18-yard box on the right side of the field. Scott's inswinger was headed toward goal before being blocked by a crowd, but it fell to Natalucci. The Second Team NAIA All-American pounced on the shot, but Cole was able to get a miracle hand to the effort and keep it out.
Ottawa heard the whistle sound for another penalty kick in the 73rd minute, but there was zero disagreement amongst the officiating crew on this one as Cole cleaned out Scott as the KCAC's leading goalscorer was sizing up a shot. Scott easily sent Cole the wrong direction for his 15th goal of the season.
Kansas Wesleyan found its only real chance of the match in the 79th minute as Juan Escobedo unleashed a rocket from 30 yards out, but Neri was able to easily palm the ball over the crossbar then direct his defense into shepherding the ensuing corner out for an unchallenging header.
The Braves will have the opportunity to rest at the midweek before hosting Bethany College to wrap up Homecoming Week festivities. Kickoff for the Senior Day match is set for 2:30 p.m.
