OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 8, 2021) – It had been a long time since Oklahoma Christian put on an offensive showcase at home like the one the Eagles staged on Wednesday at the Eagle Soccer Field against Newman (Kan.).
Alexandre Picoto Rodrigues scored two goals to lead nine Eagles in the scoring column as OC blew out the Jets 5-0 in a nonconference match on a picture-perfect, low-humidity Oklahoma night to give new coach
Mitchell Sowerby his first win at the OC helm.
It was the fifth time the Eagles (1-0-1) had scored five goals in a game against a Division II opponent since the program's NCAA era began with the 2012 season. The five-goal margin of victory over Newman (0-3) matched OC's largest win against a Division II opponent during that time – OC beat St. Mary's (Texas) 5-0 at home on Oct. 18, 2012, and won 5-0 at Texas-Permian Basin on Oct. 3, 2019.
OC's fans watched the Eagles post their highest goal total in a home match since Sept. 14, 2013, when OC won 6-0 over Central Christian (Kan.), a NAIA opponent.
In addition to their offensive domination, the Eagles (who had 17 shots) controlled the game defensively. OC limited the Jets to only three shots, none of those on goal, to help junior goalkeeper
Anthony Trabichet post his sixth career shutout without having to make a save.
"We're very happy with how we controlled the game from start to finish," Sowerby said. "One of our main focuses was to keep a clean sheet, so we are thrilled to have done so. We will enjoy the win, but tomorrow we must get straight back on the field and prepare for our next game on Saturday."
In its first game against Newman since 2018, OC took the lead for good in the 19th minute, as
Isaias Silva,
Miguel Fonseca and
T.J. Rolfs played an impressive game of three-man touch in tight quarters to set up Rolfs' first career goal.
In the 26th minute,
Alejandro Colom took a short corner kick, then had the ball touched back to him before curling a cross-field pass to Picoto Rodriguez, who headed the ball into the right side of the goal past Newman goalkeeper Juan Carlos Cordova, making it 2-0.
Salva Cotaina knocked home a corner kick from Fonseca in the 61st minute to further stretch the Eagles' lead. Picoto Rodriguez made it 4-0 in the 68th minute, heading home a free kick from just outside the penalty box by
Joep Claassen to complete a brace.
Pedro Ribeira finished the scoring in the 81st minute off an assist from
Joonho Kim.
Cordova made three saves for Newman. OC extended its lead in its all-time series against the Jets to 16-11-1.
OC will play its first road game of the season against local archrival Southern Nazarene on Saturday at 7 p.m. in Bethany. The Eagles will be back at home on Sept. 16 against Rogers State.
Mitchell Sowerby discusses the win:
https://youtu.be/3sJJDiK1W_o
