OCU Wins SAC Men's Soccer Regular Season Title

Oklahoma City University collected the Sooner Athletic regular season championship by outlasting Science and Arts 2-1 at Stars Field Friday night on the last game of the regular season.

It is the first time the Stars have held the championship since 2008. OCU improved to 8-4-2, 7-1-1 in Sooner Athletic men's soccer.

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.

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 minute 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.

On a night where the Stars celebrated senior night, seniors produced two assists and the game winning goal.

OCU claimed the No. 1 seed and will host a first round game Nov. 8. Tournament pairings will be released Tuesday.