PLAINVIEW, TX -- A composed finish from senior midfielder
Niklas Thiel proved to be the difference Tuesday afternoon as Wayland Baptist edged Oklahoma Panhandle State, 1–0, at home to close out the regular season on a high note.
After a tightly contested first half where both sides exchanged fouls and half-chances, Wayland broke through in the 69th minute. Thiel found the back of the net off an assist from
Jamol Williams, who delivered a perfectly weighted pass into the box. The goal was Thiel's fifth of the season and stood as the game-winner.
The Pioneers (7–5–2, 4–3–2 SAC) matched OPSU shot-for-shot with 11 attempts apiece, but it was their defensive resilience that secured the result. Goalkeeper
Alex Neri turned in a stellar performance, recording seven saves to preserve his fourth clean sheet of the year.
Williams was a constant threat in the attacking third, firing a team-high six shots—five of them on target—before being sent off late in the match following a red card in the 85th minute. Despite going down a man, Wayland's defense, anchored by
Elliott Idehen,
Dario Catalan, and
Aaron Debus, held firm to deny the Aggies an equalizer.
Oklahoma Panhandle State (6–5–5, 2–4–3 SAC) had its chances, especially in the final 20 minutes, but Neri's composure and Wayland's defensive organization ensured the visitors went home empty-handed.
The win solidifies Wayland's position in the Sooner Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Championships and potentially hosting the Quarter-Final match. The official bracket will be released later this week after all regular season matches have been played.
