TULSA, Okla. – Similar to their meeting in the national quarterfinals last season, Wayland Baptist and Columbia College, Mo., played a close one here Friday afternoon. Unlike last year, however, the top-ranked Pioneers wound up on the short end, falling to the 20
th-ranked Cougars, 2-1.
After a scoreless first 53 minutes, Columbia (1-2) scored twice in just 3½ minutes. Sophomore Parker Moon of Lees Summitt, Mo., put in both goals, assisted on each by another sophomore, Ximo Gil of Valencia, Spain. They were the first goals of the season against Wayland, which had outscored its first three opponents a combined, 9-0.
"We didn't play well the first half," said Wayland coach
Cristhian Ospina, who went on to take the blame for the loss. "(Columbia) changed formations in the second half, and I failed to react to that, and they took advantage."
Wayland (3-1) managed to move within a goal when junior transfer
Emiliano Fama of Buenos Aires, Argentena, headed in his first goal of the year, with an assist by newcomer
Adir Versano of Israel, in the 77
th minute.
"When we reacted and changed our formation, that's when the goal came," Ospina said.
The Pioneers desperately tried to get the equalizer in the remaining 12-plus minutes, taking four shots including two on goal. The last shot by
James Quinn was fired with just 10 seconds left, but it was blocked, and Columbia managed to notch its first win of the young season in its third outing.
"It was my fault we got the result we did today," Ospina said. "Our guys played well and did their best, and we saw a lot of good things. They stepped up to challenge, but we just fell short."
It was Wayland's first loss in 16 matches, dating back to last Oct. 14 when the Pioneers fell on the road to Science & Arts of Oklahoma, 1-0. WBU won or tied its last dozen matches last season and was 3-0 prior to Friday's setback.
"It was a good learning experience," Ospina said. "Obviously it's not good to lose, but I'm glad it happened now and not later on. We have to go back to what we are: a hard-working, talented team.
Wayland outshot the Cougars, 16-14, and held a 7-6 shot on-goals advantage.
Ricardo Ramos led the Pioneers with four shots, all but one of which were on-target.
Columbia entered the season ranked seventh in the NAIA Top 25 Preseason Poll before losing its first two matches to now 16
th-ranked Bellevue, 3-2, and to fifth-ranked, defending national runner-up Missouri Valley, 2-1.
Friday's game was played at the Mohawk Soccer Complex, Wayland's second straight neutral site match after opening with two home contests. Ospina said the field featured long grass, which is not conducive to his team's style.
"They prepared well and I failed to prepare our guys (for that type of field)," Ospina said.
The Pioneers return home for their next four contests, starting with Wednesday's 2 p.m. match against Our Lady of the Lake. After that WBU hosts University of the Southwest on Sept. 15 before opening defending of its back-to-back Sooner Athletic Conference titles against Bacone College on Sept. 22.
"We have to keep moving forward," Ospina said. "Next time I'll prepare better."
