Bejarano's pair of headers pace men's soccer to 5-1 victory
MUSKOGEE, Okla. -- Sophomore Giovani Bejarano scored near-replica goals in the first half and sophomore Ryan Williams added a goal and two assists to lead the No. 16 John Brown University men's soccer team to a 5-1 victory at Bacone (Okla.) on Saturday (Oct. 1) at the Love-Hatbox Sports Complex.
In a match that saw the Golden Eagles (7-1-1, 2-0-0 SAC) hold an 11-2 advantage in shots on goal, Bejarano took advantage on two of JBU's four first-half corner kicks. Initiated by a pair of perfectly placed Williams' corners, Bejarano finished a header pass from freshman Tim Huffine in the 4th minute to give the visitors a quick 1-0 lead and then added an insurance goal in the 25th minute, directly heading in a Williams' corner.
Sophomore Conner Haney scored in a third straight game, his eighth of the season, and sophomore Kelvin Omondi also netted his eighth of the year in the 13th minute.
"We put together a solid performance today," noted head coach Scott Marksberry, "especially on the attacking side of the ball. I wish we had not given the ball away to give them their goal, but we managed our possession better in the second half. I think we still have plenty to work on, but I like that we are adding little dynamics to each performance."
Bacone cut the John Brown lead in the half, 2-1, in the 16th minute when Lukas Burt intercepted a Golden Eagles pass across the top of the 18 yard line. Burt chipped one of Bacone's two shots on goal over junior keeper Adam Holt for his first of the season.
Bejarano's second of the game just nine minutes later proved to be the answer.
Omondi's tally in the 13th minute was a rocket from the right side, just outside the box. He let go a shot to the far left side of the goal and past Warrior starter Raul Camarena.
After having his original attempt blocked inside the box, Haney maneuvered to the left and let go a second attempt which skipped past Camarena in the 30th minute, giving the Golden Eagles a 4-1 lead.
Williams completed the scoring in the 63rd, heading in a short cross from Omondi, unmarked in the middle of the goal.
Holt needed just one save to record the victory. Bacone (4-4-0, 0-2-0 SAC) was given time in goal by Camarena, who allowed four, and backup Dev Bhamra, who yielded the final goal.
The Golden Eagles nearly doubled up Bacone in shots, 19-10, and owned an 8-5 advantage in corner kicks.
The Golden Eagles return to action on Tuesday (Oct. 4) when John Brown welcomes Oklahoma City to Alumni Field for a 7 p.m. kick-off.
