OPSU Manages Impressive Comeback Draw at RV John Brown
October 18, 2025
SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. The Oklahoma Panhandle State men's soccer team (5-3-5, 1-2-3 SAC) scored twice in the second half Saturday, tying the game on both occasions, to earn a 2-2 draw on a rainy evening at RV John Brown University (9-3-2, 4-1-1).
Held without a shot in the opening 45 minutes, Panhandle State allowed a goal off a rebounded shot in the 27th minute but otherwise turned away JBU's opportunities to keep within one, 1-0.
Then, to open the second half, the Aggies converted on their first shot of the game for the equalizer in the 48th minute.
Off a corner kick from Othman Gherab, Nils Kienass timed his run-up and jump perfectly near the net, sandwiching a header between the goalkeeper's outstretched hands and the crossbar. Kienass' goal and Gherab's assist were both their second of the year in the respective statistical categories.
JBU answered in the 65th minute, and conditions grew evermore miserable and wet as the night wore on. But OPSU had an answer.
With 13 minutes remaining in the match, Ayoup Bader dumped a long pass ahead to Til Vaupel, who dribbled cleanly towards the net but started to lose his balance. Just in the nick of time, however, he passed the ball to his left to a cutting Pablo Benavides, who put in his first goal and arguably the biggest of the season for the Aggies to tie the match at 2-2.
Panhandle State had a few chances to win it late with four corner kicks in the waning minutes, but it settled for the big-time draw against a team receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25.
Goalkeeper Olai Caicoya made four saves on the night, as his goalie record moved to 2-1-4 for the season.
What's up next: OPSU concludes its road trip on Monday to face head coach Gabriel Gonzalez' alma mater, Mid-America Christian (6-5-4, 4-0-2), for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
Held without a shot in the opening 45 minutes, Panhandle State allowed a goal off a rebounded shot in the 27th minute but otherwise turned away JBU's opportunities to keep within one, 1-0.
Then, to open the second half, the Aggies converted on their first shot of the game for the equalizer in the 48th minute.
Off a corner kick from Othman Gherab, Nils Kienass timed his run-up and jump perfectly near the net, sandwiching a header between the goalkeeper's outstretched hands and the crossbar. Kienass' goal and Gherab's assist were both their second of the year in the respective statistical categories.
JBU answered in the 65th minute, and conditions grew evermore miserable and wet as the night wore on. But OPSU had an answer.
With 13 minutes remaining in the match, Ayoup Bader dumped a long pass ahead to Til Vaupel, who dribbled cleanly towards the net but started to lose his balance. Just in the nick of time, however, he passed the ball to his left to a cutting Pablo Benavides, who put in his first goal and arguably the biggest of the season for the Aggies to tie the match at 2-2.
Panhandle State had a few chances to win it late with four corner kicks in the waning minutes, but it settled for the big-time draw against a team receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25.
Goalkeeper Olai Caicoya made four saves on the night, as his goalie record moved to 2-1-4 for the season.
What's up next: OPSU concludes its road trip on Monday to face head coach Gabriel Gonzalez' alma mater, Mid-America Christian (6-5-4, 4-0-2), for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
