SHAWNEE, Okla. – Oklahoma City University's 2010 men's soccer season came to a close on Thursday after a 2-1 loss to Oklahoma Baptist.
OCU played a hard-fought match with 15th-ranked Oklahoma Baptist in the Sooner Athletic Conference championship match, but came up short after falling behind early and staying at a one-goal deficit for much of the match.
The Stars scored their lone goal in the 51st minute off the foot of Drew Hall, a freshman from Edmond, Okla. The goal was assisted by John Dill, a senior from Broken Arrow, Okla.
“We were a little bit unlucky in the game itself,” OCU coach Brian Harvey said. “We conceded goals very early in the first half and very early in the second half, and it's always difficult to chase the game. I thought the second half we played very well and had some glorious chances at the end of the game, but sometimes it's just not meant to be.”
OCU ends its season with a record of 11-6-2, 5-3-2 in conference play.
The Stars say goodbye to five seniors who have completed their collegiate career after this match. All five men were integral pieces of OCU's 2008 SAC regular-season championship and NAIA National Championship semifinal team. Four of the five were also keys on the 2007 Region VI Tournament championship team.
Dill, a senior team captain from Broken Arrow, Okla., ended his career for the Stars with 19 goals and 32 assists as a three-year starter. Dill was selected twice to the all-SAC team. As a member of the 2008 NAIA National Championship semifinal team, Dill scored a goal and had two assists vs. McPherson in the NAIA Championships Opening Round match.
Forward Alex Gang, a senior from Seoul, South Korea, leaves the OCU program as a prolific offensive force in his four years. Gang finished off his career with 38 goals and 16 assists. He earned NAIA all-American and all-SAC recognition in 2009. He was awarded a place on the 2008 NAIA National Tournament all-tournament team for his stellar performance. Gang scored in the opening-round match vs. McPherson (Kan.) and assisted the game-winning goal against Fresno Pacific (Calif.) in the tournament. Gang has also earned recognition as a NAIA scholar athlete and CoSIDA academic all-American in his time for the Stars.
Stuart Hilton, a senior from Liverpool, England, netted 23 goals and 12 assists in his collegiate career at OCU. He was a two-time NAIA all-American and two-time all-SAC selection for the Stars. Hilton was a pivotal piece of the 2008 NAIA National Championship semifinal team, assisting on the tying goal vs. Hastings (Neb.) during the Stars' tournament run. He also provided a goal vs. Texas-Brownsville in the Region VI semifinal match in 2007.
Chris Spendlove, a senior from Liverpool, England, recorded 26 goals and nine assists as a four-year starter for the Stars. Spendlove has earned recognition throughout both regionally and nationally as an NAIA all-American and a two-time all-SAC selection. He also earned all-SAC tournament honors twice as well as SAC defensive player of the year in 2008.
Goalkeeper Andy Fitzpatrick, a senior from Kansas City, Mo., rounds out the men that have finished their OCU career. A three-year member of the Stars, Fitzpatrick amassed 231 saves, 21 shutouts and a 1.11 career goals-against average. Fitzpatrick has been a two-time all-SAC selection. He was named SAC goalkeeper and newcomer of the year as well as earning NAIA all-American accolades in 2008. He was awarded multiple SAC defensive player of the week mentions as well as NAIA defensive player of the week earlier this season.
“The seniors, they've been tremendous over the last four years,” Harvey said. “They all go out as winners in my opinion.”
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