LAREDO, Texas - Oklahoma Christian (5-8-1) secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Texas A&M International (3-7-5) on Monday afternoon at the TAMIU Soccer Complex. Ethan Nakolo scored twice while Lazar Vojnovic added another as the Eagles snapped their two-game losing streak before a crowd of 312.
Nakolo opened the scoring in the 26th minute, connecting on a well-placed assist from Joshua Wells. The Eagles doubled their advantage in the 38th minute when Lazar Vojnovic finished off a setup from Landon Hahn. Nakolo completed his brace early in the second half, finding the net in the 49th minute to secure the final 3-0 margin.
The first half saw Oklahoma Christian establish control early through precise midfield play. Manuel Mbumwae tested the Dustdevils' defense with a shot in the 13th minute, while Ezra Moser created several dangerous opportunities. The Eagles' pressure paid off when Nakolo broke through, though TAMIU's Antonio Schauer and Kai Louviere mounted counterattacks that kept the home side in contention.
After the break, Oklahoma Christian maintained their attacking momentum. Ashton Mullins and Luis Alvis controlled the midfield, limiting TAMIU's opportunities to build through the center. The Dustdevils showed life through Byron Aguilar's blocked shot in the 77th minute and Jonathan Cervantes' attempt in the 87th minute, but couldn't break through the Eagles' resolute defense.
The final statistics reflected Oklahoma Christian's superiority, as they outshot TAMIU 12-11 with six shots on target to the Dustdevils' six. The Eagles' defense, anchored by Jorge Blanc and Gerome Gohlke, limited TAMIU's clear chances despite conceding five corner kicks while earning one of their own.
Nakolo's two-goal performance highlighted his growing influence in the Eagles' attack, while Landon Hahn's creative distribution kept TAMIU's defense under constant pressure. For the Dustdevils, Kai Louviere and Felipe Garcia showed moments of promise but couldn't convert their opportunities into goals.
Oklahoma Christian's tactical approach emphasized quick transitions through the wings, with Ezra Moser and Mason Tracey providing width that stretched TAMIU's defensive shape. The Dustdevils attempted to counter through the middle, but the Eagles' disciplined positioning repeatedly thwarted their advances.
The victory marks a significant turnaround for Oklahoma Christian, who had dropped their previous two matches against St. Edward's and St. Mary's (TX). For TAMIU, the loss extends their winless streak to two games as they continue to search for consistency in the final third.
Multiple substitutions throughout the match showcased both teams' depth, with Oklahoma Christian making strategic changes to maintain their pressing intensity. Notable switches included Graham Gauvin and Luca Friederich, who helped the Eagles control the tempo in the latter stages. TAMIU's introduction of Chris Fuentes and Michael Ochoche in the second half provided fresh energy but couldn't alter the final outcome.
Looking ahead, Oklahoma Christian will aim to build on this momentum when they host UT Tyler on November 1 at 8:00 PM. TAMIU faces a quick turnaround as they travel to face Texas-Dallas on November 1 at noon, seeking to bounce back from this setback.