OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The McMurry University men's soccer team (9-11) took another step closer to a NCCAA regional championship when it defeated top-seeded Mid-America Christian (9-7-2), 3-2, on Friday afternoon.
 
The Evangels struck first early in the contest as Andrew Webster headed in a goal off a corner kick by Raphael Bonelle in the ninth minute to put MACU up, 1-0.
 
McMurry would find the answer that it needed in the 24^th minute when Desmond Williams made a cross to Colin Lund, who placed the ball in the back of the net to tie the game, 1-1. Just one minute later, Bonelle answered with a goal of his own when he took a pace from Duncan Mbugua to score his first of the day and put the Evangels up 2-1.
 
Not to be outdone, the War Hawks answered right back in the 35^th minute. Williams earned his second assist of the day when he found Ryan Prince, who beat the goalie from the middle of the box to knot the game, 2-2. The score marked the second in as many days for Prince. The teams would go into the half still tied at 2-2.
 
In the second half, both MACU's Tyler McIntosh and McMurry keeper Neil O'Sullivan work hard to keep their teams in the game. McIntosh made four saves in the half while O'Sullivan shut the door six times.
 
It would be the Evangels' defense that eventually broke in the second half, as Williams and Lund hooked up for the second time in the game. Williams outran the defense down the sidelines and fed Lund in the box for his second goal of the game. The score put the War Hawks up for good, 3-2.
 
“It was a tough game today,” said head coach Paul Tate. “However, I felt that our guys were ready, and Desmond (Williams) made some great passes that we were able to capitalize on.”
 
Offensively, McMurry was lead by Lund, who notched four points. Williams added three assists on the day and Prince added two points on his lone goal of the contest.
 
“We really just played as a team,” remarked Lund of the victory. “This was a really good team that we faced, and we just came in and outplayed them.”
 
With the win, McMurry moves on to the NCCAA central regional championship game, where they will play Central Christian College, who defeated Southwest Christian University in the other semi-final match of the day.
 
The championship match is scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. kick-off. The winner of the match will represent the central region in the NCCAA national tournament.