Game-winner gives JBU upset

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — With just 12 seconds left in regulation, sophomore Sienna Nealon scored her second game-winner of the season, launching the No. 17 John Brown University women’s soccer team to a 3-2 come-from-behind win over No. 12 Mobile (Ala.) on Thursday night at the Orange Beach Sportsplex.

After a chess match of a first half that saw limited scoring opportunities, the match exploded for five goals in the second half. Nealon’s second tally of the season also stood as her second-game winner for John Brown (4-1). She finished the match with four points — a goal and two assists.

Notching her first-career point, freshman Alair Love sprung Nealon by booting a counter-attack from the back line. Nealon eluded her defender as the pass bounced into the box, and the sophomore bodied the ball past Ram keeper Payton Lewis as it dribbled just past the goal line before time expired. Love earned the primary assist on the matchclinching play.

Both teams answered the other taking a lead with quick retaliations. Mobile (3-2) struck first in the 48th minute, but just four minutes later, junior Kristen Howell scored her first of the season.

Howell buried a redirected pass from Nealon at the back post, a play initiated by Paige Kula’s accurate throw-in.

After a 10-minute offensive lull, JBU earned its first lead of the contest when Nealon shouldered down a loose ball in the offensive zone before laying it off to an overlapping Howell. Howell’s cannon of a cross found senior Jastin Redman at the back post as the striker unloaded a 10-yard blast past Lewis for a 2-1 advantage.

In the 67th minute, Mobile tied the match when Colleen Kennedy finished off a pretty passing play by ripping a 19 yard blast past JBU keeper Caitlyn Logan.

Logan finished the contest with a trio of saves, while Lewis managed just one save while yielding three Golden Eagle goals.

Thursday’s victory marks the second upset of the season for John Brown, coming off the tails of a 1-0 upending of Columbia (Mo.) on Aug. 20.

The Crusders held advantages in shots, 12-8, and corner kicks, 9-3. Redman and Nealon both attempted a team-high three shots on target.

JBU was scheduled to return to action on Saturday against No. 2 William Carey (Miss.). Results were not available at presstime.

Men

William Carey 4, John Brown 1

John Brown got an early goal from Giovani Bejarno less than nine minutes into the match, but No. 3 William Carey responded with three first half goals and another in the second half to hand the Golden Eagles their first loss.

Bejarano’s goal — his second of the season — was assisted by Santiago Vanegas.

Cavan Doherty scored at the 20:03 mark to tie the match 1-1 and Alvaro Adan Urrea and Ben Whalley added goals in the first half. Michael Conejero scored in the second half for William Carey (5-0).

JBU was scheduled to return to action Saturday against Keiser (Fla.). Results were not available at presstime.