Second Half Surge Lifts Mavs Over Eastern 8-1

Second Half Surge Lifts Mavs Over Eastern 8-1

Northern and Eastern Oklahoma State College looked destined for overtime at halftime.  Eastern scored a goal just three minutes into the game putting the Mountaineers up 1-0.  Northern would even the score just three minutes later when Chase Venable's volley from outside of the penalty box deflected into the goal.  At that time it seemed that the game was going to be a back and forth high scoring affair.  The rest of the first half didn't turn out that way though as neither team could find the back of the net.  Northern did create a fantastic chance though when Darrion Wilson dove to head the cross from Rojay Smith, but Eastern's goalkeeper was able to tip the ball over the crossbar. 

The second half started similarly to the first half.  Northern controlled most of the possession, but couldn't break through until the sixtieth minute.  The Mavs would score four goals in eight minutes to turn the game into a route.  Rojay Smith, as he often does, got the scoring started heading in a perfect cross from Jose Mota.  Three minutes later Eastern would score an own goal when a defender deflected in a cross from Prince Dom AfriyieRojay Smith scored the next goal just two minutes later.  Dom Afriyie had the assist.  Three minutes later Smith would complete his hat trick blasting in a shot into the upper corner of the goal after receiving a cross from Jose MotaJohn Woodhead scored the Mavs sixth goal when he split three Eastern defenders and beat the goalkeeper from near the top of the penalty box.  Once again Prince Dom Afriyie was credited with the assist.  The two would reverse roles on the Mavericks seventh goal with Dom Afriyie scoring and Woodhead picking up the assist.  Daniel Perez finished the scoring for Northern when he scored off a nice assist from Northern goalkeeper Matthew Cross.

Northern Coach Michael DuRoy was pleased with the win.  "Eastern didn't really play the same way they did in our first game.  They had been a possession style team that really spread out to try to keep possession.  They didn't do that in this game and it caught us off guard a little.  We made a few adjustments at the half in how we wanted to attack them, and it worked.  I give the credit to the guys.  Rojay Smith is on a different level right now.  He is so dynamic.  Danny Perez had to move to centerback in this game, and did a nice job.  Mitchell Wilson got a start today and played great.  The whole right side of Prince Dom Afriyie, Jose Mota, and Josh Peters dominated the game."

The Mavericks are 11-4-1 and have won eight games in a row with a streak of ten unbeaten.  They will finish up their regular season on Monday at 3:00 against Oklahoma Wesleyan University JV.  It will be the last home game for Maverick sophomores: Matthew Cross, Prince Dom Afriyie, Reece Harrison, Josh Peters, Bryson Reed, Rojay Smith, and Chase Venable.