SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. – After scoring at least one goal in nine of their first 10 matches of the season, Wayland Baptist failed to get on the board Saturday as the Pioneers fell to John Brown in Sooner Athletic Conference play, 2-0.
"We were not at our best today. However, there is no doubt that the effort was there," Wayland coach
Robert Ssejjemba said. "We had some good moments and even controlled the ball. We did have chances to score goals, but we were not clinical enough."
Ranked the equivalent of 32
nd in the NAIA, John Brown (11-2, 5-0 SAC) recorded its eighth straight victory to remain at the top of the conference standings.
The Eagles scored their first goal in the 28
th minute, then got an insurance goal in the 76
th minute.
Wayland, whose only other shutout this season came in a 0-0 double-overtime tie with Our Lady of the Lake, was credited with 11 shots, including four on goal. Half of those on-target shots were taken by
Stefano Pesce, who along with
James Westfield led the Pioneers with three attempted shots. JBU got off 19 shots, eight of which were on-goal.
"
Gonzalo Santa came up with a few big saves to deny John Brown from extending their lead," Ssejjemba said of his goalkeeper.
Wayland returns home for its final two regular-season matches at Hilliard Field next week, first taking on Southwestern Christian (7-6, 5-2), which fell at USAO on Saturday, 3-0, at 6 p.m. Tuesday then Oklahoma City (5-8, 0-5) at 3 p.m. Saturday for Senior Day.
