Cardona’s Blast Not Enough as Golden Eagles Fall to Southwestern Christian, 2-1
BETHANY, Okla. (September 27, 2014) -- Sophomore forward Marco Cardona blasted his second goal of the season, but the Golden Eagles’ (4-4-0, 0-1-0 SAC) early lead wouldn’t hold as Southwestern Christian (Okla.) responded with a pair of goals to down John Brown, 2-1, this afternoon at Cagle Family Field.
The loss not only broke JBU’s four-match winning streak, its longest since it started the 2009 campaign a perfect 4-0-0, but SCU’s first goal in the 38th minute broke freshman keeper Adam Holt’s shutout streak at an impressive 374:58.
“Our guys put in a good performance today,” head coach Scott Marksberry noted after the match. “We are disappointed with the result, but not with the performance. We created plenty of chances, defended well, hit the post, had a goal called back and lost on a penalty kick. SCU is a tough place to play and they are a very talented team. If we continue to turn in performances like we did today, I think we can still make a great run in the conference.”
The Golden Eagles accomplished no other team has done to Southwestern Christian this season, out-shoot the Eagles on its home turf. John Brown earned an 18-11 advantage and forced SCU goalkeeper Kyle Mickleburgh to match a season-high six saves. Holt corralled one save in the loss for JBU.
Cardona struck first for the visitors in the 28th minute when he buried a pass up the middle from freshman midfielder Collin Smith. Smith burned past his defender up the right flank, cut in from the goal line and laid a perfect pass onto the foot of Cardona, which was one-timed into the upper right corner past Mickleburgh. Junior midfielder Eli Simonsen started the play off a free kick at center by playing the ball down the right flank to Smith.
The hosts responded 10 minutes later, however, when Kachi Silwamba finished a fast-break opportunity in the box from Svetislav Milic. Milic attacked down the left flank and sent a soft chip across the John Brown box. Silwamba, the late runner, provided a leaping header to knot the score at one apiece.
Both team accumulated nine shot attempts in the first stanza.
The Eagles (7-0-1, 1-0-0 SAC) jumped ahead 2-1 in the 50th minute when senior defender Darwin Silva appeared to be whistled for a foul in the box after a well-timed dive by Jeffrey Raghoebar as the two players went one-versus-one. Raghoebar's attempts were awarded with a penalty kick, one that Milic buried past Holt into the middle-left portion of the goal.
Despite John Brown’s 9-2 shooting advantage in the second half, including freshman striker Daniel Isiagi’s blast that found iron in the 74th minute, the Golden Eagles were unable to beat Mickleburgh for a second time in the match.
Simonsen and senior midfielder Martin Gonzalez each sent five attempts towards the SCU net, including a pair of shots on goal apiece. Eight other Golden Eagles registered a shot in the loss.
All four of JBU’s losses on the season have been by one goal.
The Golden Eagles return to action on Wednesday (Oct. 1) when it hosts Oklahoma City at Alumni Field. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
