Box Score OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 25, 2015) – A slew of early season injuries could have wrecked Oklahoma Christian's men's soccer season. Instead, having to repurpose themselves on the fly has energized the Eagles, who are playing with an obvious purpose.

OC recorded its third straight win – and its third straight shutout – on Friday, with Nijee Cooper scoring a golden goal in the second overtime to lift the Eagles past Texas A&M International 1-0 at the Eagle Soccer Field.

OC (5-2) is doing things that haven't been done by an Eagle squad in several years. The Eagles have won three straight for the first time since 2012 and have recorded three straight shutouts for the first time since 2010.

In fact, it's only the eighth time in the program's 30-year history that OC has blanked three consecutive opponents. Only twice have the Eagles recorded four straight shutouts.

The nonconference win over TAMIU (1-5), which OC will see again this season in Heartland Conference play, also gave the Eagles more wins in 2015 than they recorded in all of 2014, when they finished 4-9-1.

"We got tremendous work from the team again tonight," OC coach David Scott said. "They have really come together and become a strong group. We had a lot of guys step up and put in an effort tonight in positions and places where they may not be the most comfortable, but it's what the team needed.

"I'm extremely proud of the work the team has put in over the last few games. They are playing with more confidence and have found a way to get positive results."

The Dustdevils outshot OC 29-18, but all of OC's opponents have outshot the Eagles during the winning streak. OC waited for the tide of the game to turn, and it did, eventually, in the overtime periods.

OC's Ante Susic nearly ended the game in the first overtime when he hit the crossbar with a shot at the 93-minute mark. Then, in the second overtime, he forced TAMIU goalkeeper Miguel Lucio to make a save.

In the 104th minute, Sergio Flores sent in a chip from the right side that caught Lucio off guard, so much so that he fell down trying to defend against it. The ball went to Cooper, who shot past the defenseless goalkeeper for the game-winner.

Both Lucio, who had six saves, and OC goalkeeper Evan Helker, who had seven saves, made plays during regulation to keep the game scoreless. Helker also benefitted from another outstanding performance by his defensive back line, including Collier, Braydan Castrop, Flores, Cooper and Taylor Vanderford.

Helker, a junior from Edmond, entered 2015 with two career shutouts and has already recorded four this season.

OC won't have much time to savor the win, as the Eagles will travel north to face NAIA foe Sterling (Kan.) on Saturday at 3 p.m.