The Basics

Score: Evangel 1, (RV) Ottawa 3 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (5-5-6, 1-5-6), Ottawa (12-3-1, 11-1-0)

Location: Springfield, Mo. (Coryell Field)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Valor Men's Soccer honored their 2023 seniors on Wednesday (Oct. 25) evening, while hosting the Ottawa Braves, who were receiving votes in the most recent top 25 poll. Despite taking an early 1-0 lead into the halftime break, Evangel was unable to stop Ottawa's scoring barrage, falling in full time, 3-1.

Evangel opened the match with a pair of chances that nearly resulted in goals. At the 3:50 mark, Ruben Gonzalez hit a strong shot that hit off the top of the crossbar. On the rebound, Rem Harmsworth was able to play the ball, hitting a header that would also hit off the crossbar, as the Braves were able to get out of danger by clearing the ball. Lucas Arias would get a chance at goal, firing off a missile of a shot that the Braves keeper was able to save. At the 37:10 mark in the half, Arias got another opportunity, this time on a nice pass from Ruben Gonzalez. Lucas was able to capitalize on the opportunity, scoring to put the Valor ahead, 1-0, heading into the halftime break over a strong Ottawa squad.

The Valor defense was able to keep up their good defense to open the second half, but the strong Ottawa offense was finally able to break through. In the first four minutes of the second half, Ottawa tied up the game, and then the Braves were able to score a pair of goals in the 60th minute to take a 3-1 lead over Evangel. The Valor were unable to get much offense going, as several calls went the other way. Evangel mustered just one shot in the second half, coming from Franco Cuevas in the final two minutes of the match as the Valor fell, 3-1.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Evangel was called for 20 fouls in the game, compared to Ottawa's seven.

• Arias' goal in the first half was his first of the season.

• Evangel was outshot, 24-6, in the loss on Wednesday.

UP NEXT

Evangel Men's Soccer hits the road for their final game of the 2023 season on Saturday (Oct. 28) afternoon, taking on the York Panthers in York, Nebraska, at 2:30 p.m.

For the latest information on Evangel Athletics, visit Facebook at Facebook.com/EvangelValor, Twitter (@EvangelValor), or EvangelAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on their favorite EU teams by downloading the Evangel Athletics Gameday App through the App Store or Google Play.