Eagles Down Coyotes in NAIA Tournament Opening Round

OMAHA, Neb. (11/21/24) – The Williams Baptist University men's soccer team took down Kansas Wesleyan in the Opening Round of the NAIA Tournament on Thursday night by the final score of 2-1.

The Eagles were out-shot 15-8 by KWU on the night, but landed four shots on target.  

Mateus Ribeiro ran down a long ball and made a defender miss in the box to slot in the opening goal of the match and give WBU a 1-0 lead.

Jacobo Obradors scored the Eagles eventual game-winner in the 43rd minute with an assist from Colin Haupt to give the Eagles a 2-0 lead at the half. 

The Eagles defense held strong until Gerardo Garcia broke through for Kansas Wesleyan in the 89th minute to cut the advantage to one goal.  Williams was able to hold on through the final minute to take its second NAIA Tournament victory in program history.

Eagles goalkeeper Rodrigo Pina made two saves in 90 minutes for WBU.

With the win, the Eagles record moves to 12-3-5 on the season.  Williams will move on to face the No. 8 seeded Bellevue (Neb.) in the Second Round of the NAIA Tournament on Saturday, Nov. 23.  Kick-off is set for noon in Omaha, Neb.

Photo Credit: Mark Kuhlman