| OCU
Varsity Sports |
Misfiring Oaks Held OCU 1-1 Upper Iowa (OT)(OCU advances on PKS 4-3)
It was a case of deja vu for the Mighty Oaks as they again held the supremacy in possession and shots (39-14) but could not turn a succession of chances into the second goal they needed. OCU started brightly with Ernesto Becerra (Lima, Peru) and Jan Weirum (Greve, Denmark), causing the visitors all sorts of problems and Jason Morgan (Brampton, Ontario) pulling the strings in midfield. Both Weirum and Beccerra failed to convert on a couple of 1v1 opportunities. The keeper, also, pulling off a great save from a Becerra overhead kick. In fact despite registering 16 unanswered shots teh home side had to wait until just 2.2 seconds remained in the first half to register a goal. Nate Sefton (Milan, IN) swung in a near post free kick and Becerra arrived first to guide home the header. The Mighty Oaks continued to press in the second half, although the game opened up somewhat. Craig Barclay (Musselburgh, Scotland) Had two free-kicks well saved, Becerra and Weirum both hit the side netting and Sefton put a far post cross over the bar when it seemed easier to score. The visitors were having more success going forward as well this half, though, and a defensive mix up allowed a UIU player to get free inside the box and he placed a nice finish past Scott Cliff. The home team were immediately spurred on but much like the rest of the game, the chances came thick and fast but the goal was nowhere to be found. This continued through 2 periods of overtime until the game was officially a draw. All that was left were penalties to determine who would progress to the championship game and the Mighty Oaks finally prevailled 4-3. "This was the best team performance since I've been with the Mighty Oaks" Said Coach Botterill "We created enough chances to win 3 or 4 games but just couldn't seem to finish. If we can keep that level of performance but improve the finishing we'll be a tough team to beat." |
