Oct. 20, 2000
Tulsa, Okla. - In the inaugural game of the Donna J. Hardesty Sports Complex, the TU men's soccer team allowed Western Kentucky two first half goals and fell to the Hilltoppers, 2-1, in front of an estimated crowd of 433.
Tulsa falls to 7-6-1 overall this season and 2-4-1 in Missouri Valley Conference play, while Western Kentucky improves to 6-9 overall and 4-3 in MVC action.
The Hilltoppers struck early in the first half when Steven Brown headed in a goal off a deflected cross from the left side of the net at the 7:51 minute mark. The Hilltoppers increased their lead to 2-0 when Brown tallied his second goal of the game at the 19:13 mark. TU sophomore goalkeeper Brent Salter misplayed a free kick with the ball going through his hands and Brown tapped it in for the easy score.
Late in the second period, TU cut the deficit to 2-1 when junior Brent Bayouth scored on his first collegiate goal at the 73:31 minute mark. Bayouth played in a pass from freshman Stephen Warwick from the right side into the left corner of the goal.
Tulsa remained on the offensive for most of the second half. After getting outshot by Western Kentucky, 9-4, in the first half, TU retaliated by outshooting the Hilltoppers 12-6 in the final period. Tulsa missed several scoring opportunities in the final minutes that could have tied the game. But WKU dodged the Hurricane and prevailed.
"We beat a very talented team tonight," head coach David Holmes said. "Our back four did a tremendous job for us, and we came out with the intensity to win tonight. Tulsa has a great team, and we were fortunate to come out of here with a victory."
The Hilltoppers face nationally-ranked Southwest Missouri State on the road Sunday at 2 p.m. (CDT).
