Men's Soccer 10/31/2014 10:37:00 PM

Stars capture SAC regular season title

OCU ends regular season 7-1-1 in conference

Kieran McLachlan, No. 7, netted the game winner for the Stars on Friday.

Box Score
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University collected the Sooner Athletic Conference men's soccer regular-season championship by outlasting USAO 2-1 at Stars Field on Friday night on OCU's last game of the regular season.
It is the first time the Stars have held the conference championship since 2008. OCU improved to 8-4-2, 7-1-1 in SAC play.
The Stars found themselves down 1-0 early. In the third minute, Jean Gnapi scored to put USAO on top. Niall Burley provided the assist. USAO, who had won the past three SAC regular-season crowns, entered the contest ranked 19th in the NAIA. The Drovers went to 13-3, 6-2 in the SAC.
"Confidence has grown," OCU coach Brian Harvey said. "There's a camaraderie amongst themselves. We rode our luck out. A lot of resilience. We're very satisfied with the championship. It's an honor."
The Stars battled back and found the back of the net in the 29th minute. Volney Richardson, a junior from Flower Mound, Texas, scored his first goal of the season to tie the game. Danny Frid, a senior from Raunds, England, dished the assist.
Kieran McLachlan, a senior from Airdrie, Scotland, netted the game winner in the 74th minute. Ruy Vaz, a senior from Sao Paulo, Brazil, produced the assist.
With seven minutes to go, Alexandre Taiar, a freshman from Sao Paulo, Brazil, had the defensive save of the year for the Stars. A USAO striker had an open net and Taiar recovered just fast enough to clear the ball over the crossbar and out of danger.
Vladimir Kalajdzic, a freshman from Novi Sad, Serbia, had the best game of his career as a Star. Kalajdzic collected 10 saves, many at critical times to preserve the victory. USAO generated 29 shots to OCU's eight.
"Our goalkeeper was up to the task and had a tremendous game," Harvey said.
On a night where the Stars celebrated senior night, seniors produced two assists and the winning goal.
OCU claimed the No. 1 seed and will host a first-round SAC Tournament game Nov. 8. Tournament pairings will be released Tuesday.

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Players Mentioned

#4 Danny Frid: D; 6' 2"; Senior

#7 Kieran McLachlan: MF; 5' 9"; Senior

#11 Volney Richardson: MF; 5' 8"; Junior

#9 Ruy Vaz: F; 6' 1"; Senior

#1 Vladimir Kalajdzic: GK; 6' 3"; Freshman

#15 Alexandre Taiar: MF; 5' 6"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#4 Danny Frid
: 6' 2"; Senior
: D

#7 Kieran McLachlan
: 5' 9"; Senior
: MF

#11 Volney Richardson
: 5' 8"; Junior
: MF

#9 Ruy Vaz
: 6' 1"; Senior
: F

#1 Vladimir Kalajdzic
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: GK

#15 Alexandre Taiar
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: MF