BARTLESVILLE, Okla. — Oklahoma Wesleyan University Men's Soccer delivered an impressive second-half performance Wednesday evening, overcoming an early deficit to secure a commanding 5-2 conference victory over Friends University at the OKWU Sports Complex. Behind a hat trick from Mateja Bozic and a relentless offensive attack, the Eagles took control after halftime to earn another important Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) win.
Oklahoma Wesleyan wasted little time establishing its attacking presence, breaking through in the 14th minute when Ronardo Burgher found the back of the net to give the Eagles an early 1-0 advantage.
Friends University responded quickly, as Jose Quiel capitalized on an opportunity in the 15th minute to level the match at 1-1. The Falcons continued to apply pressure and took a 2-1 lead in the 22nd minute when Quiel converted from the penalty spot.
Despite falling behind, the Eagles remained composed and continued to push numbers forward into the attacking third. Their persistence paid off in the 31st minute when Mateja Bozic stepped up and buried a penalty kick to equalize, sending the two sides into halftime deadlocked at 2-2.
Oklahoma Wesleyan emerged from the break with renewed intensity, dominating possession in the attacking half and putting the Falcons' back line under constant pressure. The Eagles controlled the tempo of the second half, generating quality scoring opportunities while limiting Friends' ability to build momentum going forward.
The breakthrough came in the 67th minute when Bozic struck for his second goal of the evening, giving Oklahoma Wesleyan a 3-2 advantage and shifting the momentum firmly in favor of the home side.
The Eagles continued their offensive surge, and Bozic completed his hat trick in the 75th minute, extending the lead to 4-2. His clinical finishing proved to be the difference as Oklahoma Wesleyan capitalized on its opportunities in the final third.
Just minutes later, Marcos Vidan added the finishing touch in the 79th minute, finding the back of the net to seal the 5-2 victory. The Eagles' three unanswered second-half goals highlighted their attacking depth and ability to take control of the match when it mattered most.
Oklahoma Wesleyan dominated the statistical battle, outshooting Friends University 26-4, including a commanding 22-3 advantage in shots on goal. The Eagles were particularly aggressive after halftime, registering 17 shots in the final 45 minutes while holding the Falcons to just one attempt.
The Eagles also controlled set-piece opportunities, earning eight corner kicks compared to just two for Friends. Their ability to maintain pressure, win possession in dangerous areas, and create opportunities around the penalty area played a significant role in the second-half turnaround.
Defensively, Oklahoma Wesleyan tightened its shape following the early goals, limiting the Falcons' attacking opportunities and preventing another breakthrough. The Eagles' organized back line and aggressive midfield play helped maintain control throughout the closing stages.
Bozic led the offensive charge with three goals, while Burgher and Vidan each contributed a goal to round out the scoring. The Eagles' balanced attacking approach and clinical finishing proved instrumental in securing the conference result.
With the victory, Oklahoma Wesleyan improved to 10-1-1 overall, continuing to build momentum in KCAC competition. The Eagles' ability to respond to adversity, dominate the second half, and finish their chances showcased the team's resilience and attacking firepower as they continue their pursuit of conference success.
