OKLAHOMA CITY — In a return to head coach Gabriel Gonzalez' alma mater, the Oklahoma Panhandle State men's soccer team (6-3-5, 2-2-3 SAC) upset previously SAC-unbeaten Mid-America Christian (6-6-4, 4-1-2) by a final of 1-0 Monday night.
 
Team-leading scorer Ayoup Bader tallied the eventual game-winning goal 18 minutes into the contest, and a determined OPSU team hung on for its first ever win over MACU in eight tries.
 
The gutsy performance saw the Aggies fend off four corner kicks, 19 shots and a multitude of Evangel set pieces, with goalkeeper Olai Caicoya posting a three-save shutout. No save was bigger than his fully-extended diving stop to his right off a shallow MACU free kick with eight minutes to play.
 
Panhandle State's victory saw it catapult from eighth to fifth in the SAC standings, and it now needs just one more win, or a loss from Science & Arts, to clinch a spot in the postseason tournament.
 
Bader's goal was made possible when OPSU gained possession near midfield in the 18th minute. Calum Murphy took a couple dribbles into Evangel territory before he sent a well-timed cross to Bader, who found space behind the defense and laced his shot right past the goalkeeper for the game winner.
 
The score marked Bader's sixth of the year and Murphy's third helper, figures that lead the team in both categories.
 
The 1-0 lead held through intermission and beyond, as both teams' defenses turned away strong scoring chances down the stretch.
 
Caicoya (3-1-4) earned the goalkeeper victory with his fourth career solo shutout and second of the season.
 
Murphy recorded a team-high three shots (one on goal), while Nils Kienass joined Bader with the other OPSU shots on frame during the match.

Coach Gonzalez' Thoughts: "It's special to have the opportunity to compete against my alma mater. I have a lot of respect for that program and the people there who helped shape me, both as a player and a person," Gonzalez said. 

"That said, I'm incredibly proud of how our team performed today. They earned this win with their hard work and preparation." 
 
What's up next: Panhandle State looks to keep the positive results rolling and close out its home schedule unbeaten at Anchor D Stadium when it hosts Texas Wesleyan (8-7, 2-4 SAC) for Senior Day Friday afternoon.