Box Score

OKLAHOMA CITY — Nimble net-minder Kenton Farris was nothing short of magnificent Saturday night, single-handedly controlling a seemingly one-sided game and providing the boost a struggling Southern Nazarene offensive attack needed to escape rival Oklahoma City with a hard-fought 1-1 draw in a highly physical and emotional match.

After an early penalty kick goal from senior Ryan Allen lifted the Crimson Storm (5-8-1, 4-4-1 SAC) to a 1-0 lead in the eighth minute, SNU took control of game pace and kept OCU on its heels until a foul just outside the Storm's 18-yard box led to an equalizing goal in the 29th minute. Despite the absence of back line anchor Niall Best to injury, SNU held OCU to just three shots on goal in the first half and were backed by the sure hands of Farris who saved a penalty kick in the 10th minute and would become the Storm's most valuable asset in the second half.

In what would be come a brutally physical second half, OCU took control of the game and unleashed an offensive onslaught paired with decidedly more aggressive play that kept the Storm reeling for much of the remainder of the game. SNU, who did not have a shot on goal after halftime, struggled to possess the ball in the second half but defended well, while Farris simply refused to allow another goal and got the best of the Stars' attack, forcing overtime.

Overtime proved simply an extension of second half themes for both sides, as OCU continued to hammer the ball on goal only to be turned by back by Farris and the Storm's defense, who refused to back down and forced a well-earned tie at the end of two overtimes after four brilliant Farris saves in the match's final five minutes as he notched eight on the night.

The Storm, who are 3-0-1 in their last four matches, are poised to enter the conference tournament Nov. 9th with plenty of momentum and another shot at an SAC title in their sites, but first must end the regular season at St. Greogry's with a 3 p.m. SAC contest.