OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City played its brand of soccer with pressure defense, creating offensive opportunities for a 5-1 win over Oklahoma Panhandle State in the Sooner Athletic Conference quarterfinals on Tuesday.
 
With the win, OCU advances to the semifinals, where they will host Wayland Baptist in a 2 p.m. game on Friday.
 
"Well, I think the boys just realize that when they play simple, they are very good team," said OCU Head Coach Billy Martin. "When they complicate and play too much, then we struggle a bit. I think last time we scored a goal and lack of concentration, they scored, and then this time we kept our concentration. Our backline was very good. I think they knew there was a little bit more on the line. When this team plays simple, they can play really well."
 
After falling behind early, 1-0, in the fifth minute on a goal by Othman Gherab, OCU scored five unanswered goals for the win.
 
Francisco Miquel scored a penalty kick to tie the game in the 11^th minute, and the Stars took the lead for good in the 44^th minute when Juan Erazo scored from a pair of beautiful passes from Harrison Knight and Ethan Taylor.
 
The 2-1 halftime lead ballooned early in the second half. Miquel got the brace, heading in a cross from Ryan Moon in the 58^th minute and just over a minute later, Taylor beat the Panhandle keeper for a 4-1 lead.
 
Sage Trevino added a goal in the 83^rd minute for the Stars.
 
OCU, now 12-3-4 on the season, continues its SAC Tournament title defense against a WBU team that eliminated Nelson on Friday, 1-0. OCU and the Pioneers tied in Texas on Oct. 21, 1-1.