OBU wins their first SAC tournament title
November 18, 2010
The Bison (16-3) claimed their first Sooner Athletic Conference tournament title with a 2-1 victory over Oklahoma City University Thursday. The win earned Oklahoma Baptist University a spot in the National Tournament and several of the players received All-Conference recognition. The team also set a program record for wins in a season.
“This is huge,” the SAC Coach of the Year and Bison Head Coach Brent Coates said. “Last year we had a down year after a tremendous, but disappointing 2008 season. I think this helps to validate us as the program we are trying to be. The biggest difference this year has been our team being committed to each other and to God. But we aren’t finished yet, and we’re going to continue to work until we are.”
OBU came out quickly and Victor Costa put in the match’s first goal less than three minutes into the match. The 1-0 held until the second half, and Costa added another goal less than five minutes into the period. His second goal also tied him with Assistant Coach Marcos Silva for most career goals in OBU history.
OCU added their only goal a minute later. The Stars tried to put shots past keeper Jacob Hibbard repeatedly, but Hibbard turned away two shots and others went wide of the post. OBU’s defense held strong for the entire match.
Costa, Felipe Souza and Pedro Pereira have been named as members of the SAC First Team All-Conference squad; and Cristiano Sampaio and Tito Silva were named as members of the Second Team All-Conference.
“I’m so happy for those guys,” Coates said. “They’ve worked so hard and deserve the awards they earned. As for me [SAC Coach of the Year], I give God the glory. I appreciate the recognition, but it’s all because of him.”
The Bison will travel to Salina, Kansas to take on Kansas Wesleyan University for their first National Tournament game.
“I had a strong feeling all along that would be where we would end up,” Coates said. “Coach Dibbini [KWU] has done a fantastic job with his team up there, they’re playing quality soccer, and they have an All-American candidate in Alex Chavez. But I think we match up well with them. We’re excited for this opportunity and the challenge. This is what we’ve been working toward all season long.”
OBU will play Kansas Wesleyan on Nov. 20 at 4 p.m.
