ENID, Okla. - The Murray State College men's soccer team rallied from a two-goal deficit to tie Northwest Arkansas Community College, forcing overtime after a 2-2 draw through regulation. The Aggies then earned a dramatic victory in a penalty-kick shootout.

Northwest Arkansas CC opened the scoring in the 21st minute, capitalizing on a cross into the box to take a 1-0 lead. The score remained unchanged through halftime as Murray State looked to find an equalizer.

The Eagles extended their advantage in the 67th minute with a deflected strike from outside the box, putting Murray State behind, 2-0.

The Aggies responded with two goals in a three-minute span to pull even. James Owen delivered a cross to Jedaiah King, who tapped the ball into the net to cut the deficit to 2-1 with 17 minutes remaining.

Murray State continued to apply pressure, and Ryuta Sasaki found the equalizer by heading home a corner kick with just under 16 minutes left in regulation, tying the match at two apiece.

Neither team found the net during the remainder of regulation or either overtime period, sending the contest to a penalty-kick shootout.

Goalkeeper Matheus Bargiona de Abreu proved instrumental in the shootout, stopping Northwest Arkansas' first two attempts. Owen converted Murray State's opening kick into the upper-left portion of the goal, and Tom Perin followed with a successful attempt to give the Aggies a 2-0 advantage.

After the Eagles converted its third attempt, Murray State missed its next two opportunities. However, Bargiona de Abreu continued to deliver in goal, stopping Northwest Arkansas CC's fourth and fifth penalty kicks to secure the come-from-behind victory for the Aggies.

Bargiona de Abreu's five-round performance in the shootout, including four saves, helped Murray State overcome the two-goal deficit and complete the dramatic comeback.

The Aggies will now play tomorrow against the University of Arkansas-Rich Mountain in the Region 2 Tournament Semifinals. The match is set for 11:30 a.m.

Assistant Sports Information Director: Jeremy Wagner | jwagner@mscok.edu
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