CHICKASHA, Okla. — Sterling lost to the University of Science and Arts 8-0 on Wednesday, Sept. 2. The Warriors finished with four shots, while the Drovers totaled 37 shots and put 21 on frame. Sterling’s goalkeeper made 13 saves over 90 minutes, with eight in the first half and five in the second, marking the second time Cassidy Kelly has achieved at least 13 saves this season.
The Warriors absorbed steady pressure throughout the first half, with Cassidy Kelly making eight saves, but USAO scored at 13:50, 26:26 and 32:24 to take a 3-0 lead into halftime. Earlier, Kelly kept the match scoreless with saves on Josh Burton and Callum Scott, while Michael Kyalo had Sterling’s first attempt blocked in the eighth minute. After Jose Pacheco received a red card at 17:03, Kelly added three more saves before Kyalo put a shot on goal in the 25th minute. The Warriors’ best late chance came at 41:26, when Christopher Jimenez hit the crossbar.
Sterling could not slow USAO’s second-half scoring, conceding goals at 54:56, 55:47, 60:11, 79:24 and 88:22 as the match finished 8-0. Earlier in the half, Kelly kept Sterling from conceding during the first wave, saving Archie Floate’s header at 49:29 and Richard Ebongue Bollanga’s shot at 52:07 while the Drovers also put attempts wide and earned a corner. After USAO moved the score to 6-0, Sterling absorbed another stretch from 63:06 to 72:46 without allowing a goal, with Kelly saving shots from Gavrilo Dordevic and Charlie Johnston and the defense blocking Boyan Boev’s attempt. Sterling’s lone recorded shot of the half came from Zachariah Martìnez in the 81st minute, but the Drovers added goals by Ahmad Mohamed and Dylan Connell to close the scoring.
Kelly recorded 13 saves while playing all 90 minutes in goal. Kyalo led Sterling with two shots and put one on goal.
Up next, the Warriors (0-2) will host Ecclesia College (0-1-1) on Monday, Sept. 7 at 4 p.m.
Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #SwordsUp. Watch the Warriors’ live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.
