ARKADELPHIA, AR - The Southern Nazarene Men's soccer team opened their 2021 spring season with a trip to Arkadelphia, AR, in a GAC conference face-off against the Ouachita Baptist Tigers. SNU (1-0, 1-0 GAC) looked like a revamped team this season as they dominated OBU (2-1, 2-1 GAC) 3-0, their first shutout win since 2018.
The start of the season seemed to breathe life into the Crimson Storm as they went out and held the advantage in almost every game category. SNU shot a total of 11 shots on the day, six on target, and held Ouachita to just six overall shots, five of those being on goal. Southern Nazarene would also tally more corner kicks at a 4-1 margin.
Both clubs were neck-and-neck until the Sophomore
Juan Rodarte broke the seal at the 36:08 mark to give the Storm their first goal of the season.
Phillips Gomez would assist Rodarte on his goal into the lower-left corner. It wasn't until the second half that scored changed again as Junior
Angel Lopez chipped in a shot into the lower-left corner of the goal at the 52:47 mark, assisted by
Juan Rodarte.
Shortly after, Rodarte would join the party as he put in the final score off an assist from
Alexandre Da Silva (54:56).
Juan Rodarte stole the show and led the Storm as he hit on each of his shots. Rodarte also tallied an assist.
Angel Lopez took a total of three shots that were all on target, one of those resulting in a score. Other notables were
Phillips Gomez and
Alexandre Da Silva, who took both dished out an assist in the matchup.
Crowley College transfer
Ramiro Jimenez handled duties in the net as he denied five shots from the Tigers to aid the Storm in their season-opening shutout.
Southern Nazarene will return to action on Friday as they will travel to Tahlequah in a 6:00 p.m. date with the Northeastern State Riverhawks (0-0, 0-0 GAC).
