The Northern Oklahoma College Mavericks dropped their third straight Sunday with a 3-1 loss to NEO.
NOC is now 1-4-1 on the year.
In a season that has featured numerous game changing mistakes by Northern the Mavericks found a way to take it to a new level, according to coach Michael DuRoy.
Northern played well in the first half connecting more passes than in previous games, but found themselves behind late in the first half when the Mavs scored an own goal. NEO would add to lead early in the second half. Northern had a turnover on a free kick at midfield that led to a breakaway for the Norsemen. A Maverick foul in the penalty box gave NEO a penalty kick, which they easily converted. Midway through the second half the Mavs would commit another critical error with another foul in the penalty box. Once again the Norsemen were able to convert the penalty kick to go up 3-0. Miguel Chavez scored a late goal for Northern to make the final 3-1.
Despite the loss the Mavs played well outshooting the Norsemen 19-9 and creating five more corner kicks.
"Despite the loss I thought we played better," DuRoy said. "We had more possession than in previous games. We just kill ourselves with mistakes. You can not give up an own goal, consistently make bad passes in the back, and give up two penalty kicks and win if you aren't extremely talented. We lost Assanie Brown for most of the game, again, with an injury, which didn't help. Depth up front is a major issue. We lost a few guys up there for the season, which is forcing us to play guys that aren't ready to play at this level or play guys out of position, and neither of those are good options. Our focus for the rest of the season needs to be 100% on each game as they come. Despite the horrible start we can still make the playoffs."
NOC is at Dodge City Saturday in their next game action.
Original source can be found here
Alerts Sign-up