OCCC’s Javier Careon (right), fights for a loose ball while on the ground with an OSU player. In a defensive struggle, both teams played a physical game that resulted in a 1-1 tie on Sept. 29 at Wantland Stadium in Edmond.
Missed penalty kicks result in tie
- Jeff Weisbrod's injury will keep him out for six to eight weeks
- OCCC is in sixth place but is one game away from third
By Kyle Frank, News Writing Student
Thanks to a late goal by Dennis Cardona, the OCCC soccer team survived a hard-fought match against a highly touted Oklahoma State University team that ended in a 1-1 tie on Sept. 29 in Edmond.
OCCC gave up chances to take the lead in the first half by missing two penalty kicks from 10 yards out. The goalkeeper blocked one, and one hit the post.
After the game, Coach K. B. Yeboah said, “We kept them alive by missing those easy penalty goals.
“They won’t give it to you, so don’t give it to them.”
Even though OCCC had more looks at the goal and more time of possession, they were losing 1-0 at halftime due to a 35-yard blast from OSU player-coach Kirk Hutchinson.
After the game Hutchinson gave himself a pat on the back.
“I had never hit the ball that good, ever,” he said. “I knew the whole way it was going to be a goal.”
Cardona twisted his ankle and left the game for a short while in the first half.
OCCC player Jeff Weisbrod tore his hamstring, trying put in a goal from the OSU goal box. He stayed down on the field for several minutes and needed help off by the coach and a teammate.
Yeboah confirmed on Oct. 3 that Weisbrod is going to be out for six to eight weeks.
The second half got a lot more interesting when the crowd got involved, cheering for their teams. The coaches even got into the game when both sides started to get pretty physical.
OCCC was without a starter going into the second half with Weisbrod out, but still had six subs on the sideline, compared to the one sub of OSU and fatigue would prove to be a factor.
Shots on goal for either team were few and far between in the second half. The shots that were taken were desperate outside attempts due to great defense on both sides.
A three on one fast break for OCCC was called back for an offsides call, which could have been the chance they had been waiting for.
Later, Cardona put in a goal from inside the goal box to tie the game with less than two minutes left in regulation play.
The team was thankful for the goal in the final minutes, but knew they let this one get away from them.
Coach Yeboah spoke to the guys after the game.
“You can’t let these types of guys push you around,” he had yelled from the sideline and repeated after the game.
“I wish I could get in there and play with you but I can’t. It’s up to you.” Yeboah told his team. “Don’t give up.”
With four games left on the schedule and a fifth game to be rescheduled, the 6th place OCCC soccer team has a good chance to make it to the playoffs this year. The team’s record is 1-1-1. One win separates third place to sixth place, so anything could happen.
For more information on the soccer team, call 405-682-1611, ext. 7786.
