OKWU vs. Bethel major soccer showdown Saturday

Bartlesville will play host Saturday night to a heavy-handed college men's soccer showdown.

The unbeaten Oklahoma Wesleyan University Eagles (2-0-0) are slated to battle it out with the undefeated Bethel (Kan.) Threshers (2-0-0) in the 8 p.m. clash at the OKWU soccer field, located on Silver Lake Road.

At stake will be continuing to remain in first place in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference standings. OKWU and Bethel are the lone unbeaten teams in KCAC play, with the exception of Avila (Mo.) University (0-0-1).

Earlier in the evening, the women's OKWU Lady Eagles (3-0-0) will take on the Bethel Lady Threshers (1-1-0) at 5:30 p.m.

Following are reviews for each match:

Women

On paper, the Lady Eagles appear set to snatch their fourth victory.

They are averaging 5.7 goals per game — compared to 1.5 gpg for Bethel.

OKWU also has display uncanny efficiency when encompassing beleaguered defenses with waves of pressure. Of their 76 shots on the season, 42 have been on goal — more than 55 percent.

OKWU also has allowed just one goal with Nerea Perez Mora as the first-year starter at keeper.

Bethel has recorded a total of just 19 shots in two games — nine of them on goal — and has allowed three goals.

Three different Bethel players have scored one goal apiece. One of them is Alayna Wallace, who also has racked up an assist to give her a team-leading three points.

For OKWU, Marjolen Nekesa has punished opposing nets with seven goals — scoring seven times in 11 shots on goal. She also has amassed four assists to boost her to 18 points.

Cloe Johnson has chipped in with three goals, followed by Laura Maria and Faith Mosaira with two apiece.

Three other Lady Eagles have contributed one goal each.

Perez Mora has played every single minute in goal and has made eight saves.

OKWU players that started on defense in the Lady Eagles' most recent action included Ruth Khasoha, Kayla Beaver and Kiley Mclemore.

OKWU ladies enter the weekend with the top conference record (2-0-0), followed by Kansas Wesleyan (1-0-0) and York (Neb.) College (1-0-1).

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Men

The stat differences are much closer in some categories between the Eagles and the Threshers — except for goal scoring.

OKWU has bombarded opposing defenses with 17 goals, compared to Bethel with five goals.

But, on the other side of that equation, Bethel hasn't yet allowed a goal, while OKWU has given up 3.

OKWU boasts an amazing percentage of shots on goal, 25 of 39 (.641) and owns an overall shot percentage of .359.

Bethel's shot percentage is .161 and its percentage for shots on goal is a respectable .419 (13-of-31).

Bethel's two biggest scoring guns are Muhamed Jammeh and Cristobal Goldberg with two goals apiece. Goldberg has added an assist to give him a team-high five points.

Sean Holness wears the mantle of starting goalie for Bethel and has played 170:34 minutes of shutout ball. His backup has seen 9:26 minutes on the field.

Holness has made four saves.

Off to a smashing start for the Eagles is Stefan Cvetanovic, who has already scored eight goals — including his career 50th in an Eagle uniform. Cvetanovic also has distributed two assists to elevate him to 18 points.

OKWU's veteran punch continues with Alex Lozano, who is averaging a goal a game. Stefan Lukic, Pol Mur and Gerardo Lerones Hermida have scored one goal apiece.

Matheus Ferreria has been the main distributor by dealing out five assists.

Alex Vidizzoni has recaptured his starting goalie spot and has appeared in 162.33 out of the 180 minutes played by OKWU. He has made four saves and given up two goals.

Joshua Sarina has labored the other 16:37 in goal, with no saves recorded and one goal allowed.