CHICKASHA, Okla. - The Lyon College men's soccer team faced the University of Science and Arts Oklahoma on Monday evening to finish off a four-game road stretch as the Scots came up just short in an intensely fought 2-1 loss.
 
After a tough pill to swallow on Saturday, the men's soccer team had their hopes set on getting things right from the start and would look to control much more of the ball this time out. Unfortunately, a lapse in concentration from the Scots defense at the 30-minute mark gifted the home side a chance with the ball just outside the penalty area. A swift early pass put through found the foot of Abdel Zerrad, who calmly put the ball past Lyon goalkeeper Dan Huff.
 
The remainder of the half saw both sides going at it in a physical encounter. Lyon couldn't quite find the goal to level the score into the break. The Drovers came close to scoring again moments before the halftime whistle, if not for a tidy save down low by Huff.
 
The second half started with promise, as Matias Lopez came up just inches short from the equalizer three minutes in, when he found himself clipping the woodwork from a nice flick on. It seemed USAO drew inspiration from this though, as they looked to take control of the game in the 55th minute. Zerrad again for the drovers, tucked home a shot from inside the box.
 
The Scots got a great response from Lyon defender Paul-Florian Efang, who towered above the USAO big men to bang home a header off a Leo Galdino corner in the 57th minute.
 
Two big saves in the 83rd minute from Huff showed why he was voted as last season's AMC First-Team keeper.
 
Efang led the way for the Scots with one goal, his first for the season. Galdino collected the lone assist for the Scots, his third so far in all competitions.
 
The Lyon Scots moved to 3-4 for the season while USAO improved to 4-2-1.
 
Next up for the Scots is a midweek home game, as they will hope to bounce back from a difficult few days against Texas A&M-Texarkana, on Thursday, September 16th in Batesville at 5:00 p.m.
 
Edited by James Dalton, Lyon College Athletics Intern