Bluejay power wasn't enough to stand up to Eagle might during the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference men's soccer tourney final Saturday.The Oklahoma Wesleyan University Eagles (19-2-0) wrung out a 2-1 victory to finish 15-0 against KCAC competition this season.
All that has taken place since August through Saturday's tourney championship has all been a warm-up for OKWU's next objective — to win the national championship.
Also on Saturday, the OKWU Lady Eagles captured the KCAC women's soccer tournament crown by knocking off Southwestern (Kan.) College, 1-0.
The Lady Eagles improved to 19-2 overall. Next up, they will play host Wednesday to a NAIA national regional.
Following are summaries of Saturday's wins
Last season, the Eagles stormed to the NAIA final, only to lose to Missouri Valley, 2-0.
Since the closing whistle of that match, the Eagles have had one main motivation festering in their competitive hearts — to make up for unfinished business.
Saturday's win against Tabor really had nothing to do with that in the big picture. But, in terms of momentum, confidence, and perhaps even national tourney seeding, it was a symbolic prize.
Tabor dug in — the Bluejays (12-8-1) stood firm.
Right up until the final 12 seconds.
That's when Luka Lukic knocked in an unassisted goal for the game winner.
Prior to that, Julio Belo had tallied OKWU's first goal — off an assist from Lucas Mauro — and Tabor had tied it up, 1-1, with 6:16 left in regulation.
Matija Gligorovic played goalie the entire match for OKWU and made a crucial save.
OKWU — which is coached by Jamie Peterson — next will host a NAIA regional this weekend. The reality is win and keeping playing; lose and be done.
Marjolen Nekesa scored her 123rd career goal for the Lady Eagles.
Few of the other ones have been as significant as her winning cord-kisser against Southwestern, which capped a 15-0-0 record by OKWU against KCAC competition this season.
Nekesa ripped her game-winner — off an assist from Stacia Spears — the first 13 minutes.
OKWU — which is coached by Ivan Ristic — then relied on goalie Nerea Perez Mora and its stifling defense to do the rest.
But, the Lady Eagles' offense kept pounding away to try to put an insurance goal on the board. Nekesa and Laura Maria each unleashed five shots, two on goal apiece. Tania Mocholi also recorded two shots on goal.
OKWU will know by Monday the regional schedule at Bartlesville regional.
Last season, OKWU lost in the NAIA regional finals, one win shy of advancing to the finals' site.
No doubt they'll be scrapping this week to plunge deeper into title contention.