2021-22 TOP 20 COUNTDOWN, No. 14: OKWU soccer teams thunder into nationals
Following is the next installment of the E-E’s countdown for the Top 20 local stories from the 2021-22 school sports year.
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No. 14: Eagle soccer teams soar
Oklahoma Wesleyan University continued in the fall of 2021 to be one of the top NAIA’s overall college soccer programs for both men (21-3) and women (20-2-1).
Their combined NAIA postseason poll rankings added up to 17 (Eagles, No. 5; Lady Eagles, No. 12) — third highest in the nation.
The only programs with a higher combined men’s and women’s 2021 postseason rankings were Central Methodist (Mo.) at six (men, No. 3; women, No. 3) and Keiser (Fla.) at seven (Men, No. 1; women, No. 6).
William Carey (Miss.) had a cumulative ranking of 18 (men, No. 16; women, No. 2) to land just behind OKWU.
Obviously, OKWU has something great going in its soccer universe.
The Eagles and Lady Eagles both cruised unbeaten through their Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference schedules, at 13-0-0 and 14-0-0 for the men and women, respectively.
Following is a closer look at how both OKWU teams fared in the autumn of 2021.
EAGLES: For almost any other men’s team, advancing to the NAIA Elite Eight would have been deliriously celebrated. But, OKWU had advanced the previous season to the NAIA championship game and appeared poised to climb all the way to the top. However, it simply wasn’t to be. When you’re a big shark swimming with other big sharks, the difference between a one-course meal or munching on only a mouthful of water can be inches. As it was, OKWU fell to Columbia in the national semifinals, 2-1. The Eagles still boasted an amazing season. They suffered their only regular season losses to Baker (Kan.), 3-2 (overtime), and Central Methodist, 2-1 — in a No. 1 vs. No. 2 clash. During the postseason, OKWU romped through the KCAC tourney by beating Bethel (Kan.), 7-1; McPherson (Kan.), 2-1; and Tabor (Kan.), 2-1. OKWU opened the NAIA tournament by winning the regional — 3-0 against Governor’s State and 1-0 against Lyon College. But, Columbia then stopped the Eagles’ run, 2-1, in the national quarterfinals (Elite Eight). Several Eagles stampeded to sparkling stats. Senior Stefan Lukic finished with 44 offensive points (13 goals-18 assists), followed by Luka Lukic at 42 (15-12) and Lucas Mauro at 27 (12-3). Other major contributors, and their scoring points included: Julio Belo, 20 (9-2); Pol Mur Llorens, 16 (6-4); Victor Crispim, 16 (5-6); Jorge Velasco, 11 (5-1); Matheus Ferreira, 10 (5-0) and Alfeu Bertini, eight (4-0). On the other side of the field, Ognjen Stevic was one of the top defensive stars and Matija Gilgorovic and Alex Vidizzoni split goalie duties. The Eagles, who are coached by Jamie Peterson, have constructed a 61-11-1 cumulative record since 2019.
LADY EAGLES: Coach by Ivan Ristic, the Lady Eagles have compiled a 57-9-1 cumulative record since 2019. They are 25-0-0 in regular season conference games the past two seasons. The OKWU ladies swept the 2021 KCAC postseason tourney by beating Bethel, 7-0; Kansas Wesleyan, 4-3; and Southwestern (Kan.), 1-0. In the NAIA regional, OKWU opened up by breaking down Briar Cliff, 3-1. But, Oregon Tech then shut down the Lady Eagles’ season in a game they won by a shootout after a 0-0 tie. A pair of OKWU seniors were dominant in offensive stats nationally — Laura Maria, 76 points (31 goals-14 assists) and Marjolen Nekesa, 62 (25-12). Tania MOcholi added 29 points (11-7), followed by Daniela Ortiz with 12 (4-4). Faith Mosaira and Hannah Purainer both scored four goals. Goalie Nerea Perez Mora played nearly every minute (2,038) and allowed only 0.49 goals per game. Another major defensive standout was senior Ruth Khasoha.
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COUNTDOWN
No. 20: Hornet hoopsters hush doubters
No. 19: Huskies grind to semis
No. 18: Trojans find a way
No. 17: Musical chairs at top
No. 16: Brown’s All-State style
No. 15: Cheers for Bruin hoops
No. 14: Eagle soccer teams soar
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Focus on Top 20 local sports stories for 2021-22 school year
