BETHANY, Okla. (Sept. 11, 2021) – Southern Nazarene broke a scoreless tie midway through the second half and the Crimson Storm pulled away for a 3-1 win over Oklahoma Christian in a men's soccer rivalry game on Saturday night at Wes Harmon Field.

In the 58th game in a series that dates back to 1986 – the year OC first fielded a collegiate squad – SNU (3-1) broke a three-game losing streak to OC (1-1-1), beating the Eagles for the first time since 2015.

OC had the better early scoring chances. Salva Cotaina missed on a long drive in the sixth minute, and a shot by OC's Joep Claassen required a save by SNU goalkeeper Ramiro Jimenez less than two minutes into the second half.

But the game turned in the 66th minute, Orlando Castro's right-to-shot from near the edge of the penalty box eluded OC goalkeeper Anthony Trabichet, putting the Crimson Storm up 1-0. About four minutes later, Kazuki Okazaki scored off an assist from Shun Kushima to double SNU's lead.

SNU, which outshot the Eagles 17-9, was awarded a penalty kick in the game's final minute. Trabichet saved the initial attempt, by Angel Lopez, but was unable to corral the loose ball, allowing Harei Maeda to pounce on it and score SNU's final goal. Trabichet finished with five saves.

OC was awarded a free kick moments later, after the game clock read 0:00, and the Eagles took advantage of the unusual circumstance. Jimenez recorded his third save on a shot by João Ratinho, but Marco Senatore put in the rebound, allowing the Eagles to avoid the shutout.

"Obviously the result was disappointing, especially when we felt like we were in control of the game up until the first goal," OC coach Mitchell Sowerby said. "It's important we take time to learn from our mistakes as we move forward. We must regroup and get ready to bounce back on Thursday against a very strong opponent."

OC will host Sowerby's alma mater, Rogers State, in a nonconference game at 7 p.m. on Thursday.