OKLAHOMA CITY - In a pivotal early season contest being one of the biggest games in quite some time for the OCU men's team ended in a 1-1 draw after Bernardo Duarte sank a second half goal to knot things up for good.

Goals
'62 - Bernardo Duarte

How it Happened
Oklahoma City was granted with an opportunity early on in the 11th minute with a penalty kick chance to take the lead. Keita Kishino lined up for the PK but was swatted away by the Bruins keeper. Not long after, Bellevue took advantage of the Stars missed opportunity as Ombeni Mubake drilled the first goal of the match in the 13th minute to take a 1-0 lead.

Oklahoma City remained calm and stayed in control from the Bruins goal all the way until the end of 90 minutes. OCU came out maintaining most of the possession in the second half. After a shot attempt was blocked from Lorenzo Nardini it was Bernardo Duarte who came up with it to knock in the Stars first goal in the 62nd minute that knotted things up at one. The Stars had a couple of chances to take the lead with a shot on-goal by Marco Alongi but could not go in front leading to the 1-1 draw on Thursday night.  

Game Notes

• Oklahoma City outshot the number five team in the country 18-5 allowing just one shot on-goal while the Stars tallied seven.
• Bernardo Duarte scored for the second straight game the third time this season setting a new career-high in goals scored.
• Jordan Da Costa led the way for OCU with a team-high three shots attempted while Keita Kishino followed with two.
• Senior James Kearns played a major factor in the contest holding Bellevue to its lowest goal total of the season while bearing down for the final 28 minutes keeping Bellevue from getting a shot off to help force the draw and keep the Stars without a los through five games. 
• Thursday's match was the first time the two schools squared off as the first ever meeting resulted in a draw.

Up Next
Oklahoma City will continue its homestand on Tuesday as the Stars host Central Baptist at 4:00 PM.

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