Columbus, Miss. - The University of the Ozarks men's soccer team overcame an early deficit with a four-goal second half, pulling away for a thrilling 5-3 victory over Mississippi University for Women Monday afternoon in Columbus, Mississippi.
The Eagles trailed 2-1 at halftime but erupted offensively after the break, scoring four times in the final 45 minutes to secure the non-conference victory.
Ozarks answered in the 33rd minute when Mpumelelo Sibanda scored to level the match at 1-1. Just 28 seconds later, however, Drake Ballard put The W back in front, giving the visitors a 2-1 advantage heading into halftime.
The Eagles came out firing in the second half.
In the 50th minute, Sergio Traitel scored off an assist from Jordan Grimaldo to pull Ozarks even at 2-2. Just under 10 minutes later, Tristan Silence gave the Eagles their first lead of the afternoon with his first goal of the match.
Ozarks continued to apply pressure and added another goal in the 77th minute when Leonardo Robles found the back of the net to extend the advantage to 4-2.
The W refused to go quietly scoring in the 84th minute to cut the deficit to 4-3.
Silence then put the match away in the 89th minute, scoring his second goal of the afternoon to give the Eagles the final 5-3 margin.
Ozarks dominated the offensive statistics, holding a 31-7 advantage in shots and a 15-3 edge in shots on goal. The Eagles also earned seven corner kicks compared to three for the home team.
Silence led the Eagles with two goals and two shots on goal, while Grimaldo recorded a team-high six shots and added an assist. Traitel finished with five shots, two on goal and a goal. Sibanda contributed a goal on three shots, while Robles scored on his lone shot on goal.
The Eagles' defense limited the Owls to just seven total shots.
The Eagles will host Lyon College September 12.
