OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University men's soccer team advanced to the KCAC Tournament Semifinals with a 3-1 victory over Southwestern College on Tuesday afternoon at Dick Peters Sports Complex.
Cale Scott scored twice, including the game-clinching goal in the 87th minute, as the Braves improved to 14-2-3 overall.
Ottawa built a 2-0 halftime lead behind goals from Scott and
Mateo Trigo. Southwestern cut the deficit to one early in the second half, but the Braves controlled much of the offensive action over the final 45 minutes before Scott secured the victory with his second goal of the match.
The Braves outshot Southwestern 19-11, including a 13-6 advantage in the second half, and held a 9-3 edge in corner kicks.
First Half: Ottawa 2, Southwestern 0
Ottawa wasted little time establishing its offensive presence, taking the lead in the 11th minute. Scott converted a penalty kick at the 10:30 mark to give the Braves a 1-0 advantage.
Southwestern attempted to answer, but Ottawa goalkeeper
Alex Neri turned away a shot from Bernabe Lopez in the 12th minute to preserve the lead.
The Braves continued to apply pressure, with Scott and
Lorenzo Lamola putting shots on goal in the 14th minute. Ottawa also earned two corner kicks during that stretch.
Ottawa doubled its lead in the 34th minute. Trigo, who entered the match as a substitute in the 27th minute, found the back of the net at the 33:12 mark off an assist from
Antonio Natalucci to put the Braves ahead 2-0.
The Braves carried that two-goal advantage into halftime.
Second Half: Ottawa 3, Southwestern 1
Ottawa opened the second half aggressively, earning two corner kicks and putting a shot on goal in the opening four minutes.
Southwestern, however, found the back of the net at the 49:20 mark when Luke Anderson scored an unassisted goal, cutting Ottawa's lead to 2-1.
The Braves responded by increasing their offensive pressure. Scott and
Antonio Natalucci both had scoring opportunities in the 55th minute, while
Slobodan Novicevic forced a save from Southwestern goalkeeper Franco Guazzotti in the 62nd minute.
Southwestern threatened to equalize in the 64th minute when Nicola Antiglio sent a shot off the crossbar, but Ottawa maintained its one-goal advantage.
The Braves continued attacking, creating opportunities throughout the final 20 minutes. Scott forced a save in the 77th minute, and Natalucci followed with another shot on goal in the 79th minute.
Ottawa finally broke through for an insurance goal at the 86:09 mark. Scott scored his second goal of the afternoon off an assist from
Juan Lopez-Arteaga, extending the Braves' lead to 3-1.
The late goal sealed the victory and sent Ottawa into the KCAC Tournament Semifinals.
Who is Next
Ottawa (14-2-3) returns to the pitch on Friday, Nov. 6 to play Oklahoma Wesleyan University at the Dick Peters Memorial Sports Complex. The match is scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m.
