Box Score OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 23, 2017) – A missed penalty kick, followed in short order by a goal by Rogers State, could have left the Oklahoma Christian Eagles feeling sorry for themselves, but Anthony Buchanan gave his team reason to celebrate Saturday afternoon at the Eagle Soccer Field.

The senior forward's first goal of the season came in the 77th minute and allowed the Eagles to earn a 1-1 draw with Rogers State, a perennially strong squad that made the Heartland Conference tournament last season and owns a preseason win over NCAA Division I Tulsa in 2017.

With the draw, OC (3-3-1, 1-2-1 Heartland) picked up a standings point that could prove crucial in the North Division race. The North is the most difficult of the Heartland's three divisions, as three of its four teams made the six-team conference tournament last year.

After opening Heartland play with road losses at Eastern New Mexico and West Texas A&M, the Eagles gained a result in both their games this week, beating North Division rival Newman (Kan.) 1-0 on Thursday before the draw with Rogers State (5-2-1, 2-1-1).

"It's good to get through a weekend and get two positive results, so to speak, from two tough conference games, but we missed the penalty early and it's a little frustrating to not get a (win) in the end," OC coach David Scott said. "It is nice to battle back after falling behind a goal and getting the draw."

OC outshot the Hillcats 18-12 and had the better scoring chances most of the day, but Rogers State goalkeeper Cody Gammill had a strong performance, making seven saves.

In the 17th minute, Rogers State defender Ellis Ashworth fouled Buchanan in the penalty box, giving the Eagles a penalty kick, which Garrett Blume took. Gammill dove to his right and extended to deflect the ball and keep it out of the goal.

About seven minutes later, the Hillcats' Declan Fitzpatrick, operating near the end line, crossed the ball in front of the goal to Jake Simpson, whose shot from six yards out put Rogers State ahead.

The Hillcats held the lead until late in the second half, thanks to Gammill, who saved consecutive point-blank shots by Vanja Hodovic and Buchanan in the 59th minute.

But in the 77th minute, a foul on Rogers State gave OC's Matheus Mantovani a free kick from about 30 yards out. He looped the ball into the box, where Buchanan chipped it past Gammill to tie the game.

"It was a nice little touch on the finish," Scott said. "Hopefully it gets Anthony's confidence going. He's a big part of our attack and things just haven't fallen right for him the last few games.  Hopefully this will get him going."

Gammill made three saves in the second overtime to preserve a draw for the Hillcats. OC goalkeeper Gianluca Marchetti made four saves in the game.

It will be back on the road for the Eagles next week, with Heartland games at St. Mary's (Texas) on Thursday and Texas A&M International on Saturday. OC's next home game will be Oct. 5 against Texas-Permian Basin.

David Scott discusses the game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbIZGET2Cr8&feature=youtu.be