The trip to Ardmore Oklahoma to take on Murray State proved to be a rough one for the Men's Soccer team. The Norsemen would dominate the game and the statistics, but would return home with a 3-2 loss to show for their efforts.
After again giving up an early goal the Norsemen were forced to battle back. Murray State scored on their first trip down field to go up 1-0 in the opening minutes. That shot would be the only shot taken by Murray state in the first half of the game. Zac Chism scored on a nicely built up attack to tie the game 1-1, 27 minutes into the first half. That score would hold until half time.
In the second half it was all the Norsemen early on. NEO would attack the goal again and again in attempts that seemed destined to score, however the game remained tied until 18 minutes remaining when Chism redirected a pass from Miguel Morales to put NEO up 2-1. The game looked to be in hand with Murray doing little on the attacking end, however with just 3 minutes remaining and on just their 4^th shot attempt of the day Murray state found the back of the net on a long lofted shot. 90 minutes of regulation would end with NEO out shooting Murray 18-4, but ultimately tied at 2 goals each.
The Norsemen took to overtime on a mission. NEO would create 7 shots on goal in the first 5 minutes of the extra period. Murray State however would manage their first counter attack at that point. A perfectly placed 25 yard Murray State shot brushed the bottom of the crossbar and bounced down just behind the line to give them the sudden death overtime win.
The Soccer Norsemen fall to 1-1 on the season. They are back in action on Friday Aug 28^th for their home opener against the 1-1 Tigers of Cowley County. Game time will be 7:00 PM at Red Robertson Field.