PLAINVIEW, Texas — Wayland Baptist University men's soccer overcame a slow start and a one-goal halftime deficit with a four-goal second half Tuesday evening, defeating the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 4-2 at J.V. Hilliard Field.

The Pioneers improved to 3-3-3 overall and 2-0 in Sooner Athletic Conference play, continuing their unbeaten start to the conference schedule. Science & Arts moved to 4-3-3 overall and 1-1 in conference action.

Science & Arts controlled much of the opening half and struck first in the eighth minute. Callum Scott found the back of the net at the 7:16 mark to give the Drovers a 1-0 advantage. USAO outshot Wayland 11-1 during the first 45 minutes, but goalkeeper Drew Arehart made four first-half saves to keep the Pioneers within one heading into halftime.

Wayland emerged from the break as a different team, needing less than three minutes to find the equalizer. Felipe Dos Santos scored in the 48th minute off an assist from Matus Nemec, leveling the match at 1-1.

The Pioneers kept the pressure on, and Nemec went from provider to scorer in the 58th minute, finding the back of the net unassisted to give Wayland its first lead of the night at 2-1.

Wayland added to its advantage in the 75th minute when Baptiste Hervaud finished a chance set up by Nemec, extending the lead to 3-1. The assist completed a four-point night for Nemec with one goal and two assists.

USAO refused to go away, cutting the deficit to 3-2 in the 82nd minute on a goal from Boyan Boev. Wayland responded less than six minutes later to put the match away. Renato Katrip scored in the 88th minute off an assist from Maximiliano Campos, giving the Pioneers their fourth goal of the half and securing the 4-2 victory.

After being held to one shot in the opening half, Wayland produced 11 shots in the second half, putting nine of them on goal and scoring four times. The Pioneers finished with 12 shots overall and 10 on target. USAO finished with 18 shots and 10 on goal. Arehart played all 90 minutes in goal for Wayland and recorded eight saves.

Head Coach Robert Ssejjemba praised his team's response after the difficult opening 45 minutes.
"It was good to see our team win a different way. I think coming from a goal down revealed character in our guys. Our first half was very slow, and we were second in every aspect of the game. In the second half, we fought for every ball and managed to create the chances we finished."

The victory gives Wayland back-to-back conference wins after opening SAC play with a 4-2 victory over Nelson University.

Up Next: Wayland hits the road Saturday, Oct. 3, to face Central Christian College (Kan.) in McPherson, Kansas. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.