This was not only a game of two halves, but it was also a game of 2 days. Due to lightning in the area, the game was suspended after 23 minutes just after Diogo Furtado (Paris, France) had scored to put UARM up 1-0. A long ball from Leon Chroszcz (Kirchheim unter Teck, Germany) reached Cavan Chedzey (Burgess Hill, England) at the top of the field, and he managed to flick the ball on for the rushing Furtado, who shot across the goalkeeper into the bottom right corner. As the players gathered for the restart, lightning struck and the game had to be delayed. It was decided to restart the following day at 10am because there was no time left in the evening to get the full game in.  

 

Both teams gathered on the Monday morning, and the Bucks got down to business immediately. After defending some long high balls into our back line, the Bucks countered and drew a free kick on the edge of the penalty area after an arm was used to block a shot. Guiseppe Gonnella (Vicenza, Italy) bent the ball around the wall, and it nestled into the bottom right section of the net for the 2-0 lead. UARM kept the offense going and for a few exhibition flicks instead of completing a simple pass, the Bucks could have threatened the Enid goal more. UARM's back line was standing tall and swatting away any long balls aimed in their direction to keep the score at 2-0 for half time.  

 

The second half began with Enid putting an extra player into the midfield to give them a period of dominance, forcing UARM to adjust their line up in order to achieve equilibrium and regain control of the game. The game was all but over. In the 76^th minute, as the third goal went in for Bucks. Kenneth Almendares (Houston, TX) swung in a free kick from the left, which Gonnella managed to get a head to it as the goalkeeper defended him to force the ball to drop to the floor. Juan Serrano (Aubrey, TX) was waiting and had an empty net to tap home for the 3-0 lead. Four minutes later, Furtado and Chedzey had a breakaway together passing to each other as they advanced down the field. It ended with Cavan Chedzey finding the bottom corner with a low shot to the left.  

 

The remainder of the game was an opportunity for the Bucks to clear the bench subs and give a few players some valuable minutes, and in some cases, a few athletes made college debuts. The standard did not drop, and UARM was able to see the game through for the 4-0 win on the road.

 

Coach Sherry was pleased with his team during their first road test and battling mother nature. "The team was awesome today and yesterday. To have those weather delays and to have to come back the next morning to play would have unsettled many a team, but this team performed miraculously. Every player stood up to be counted and put in a performance that they can all be proud of. The last two games have given us such a great foundation on which to build on to help us reach our goal of qualifiying for post season tournament play.  We keep going.

 

The Bucks are scheduled to compete again on Wednesday against Eastern Oklahoma State College. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 & 4 pm at Tapley Park in Mena.