Alva Review-Courier -

SEARCY, Ark. (Sept. 2, 2017) – Chandler Parrish helped Oklahoma Christian overcome a serious challenge on Saturday and complete a season-opening sweep of rivals on the road.

Parrish's tap-in in the 79th minute proved to be the difference as OC beat sister school Harding (Ark.) 3-2 on Saturday afternoon at the Searcy Soccer Complex. It was the second game-winner in as many games for Parrish, who scored the opening goal in a 3-0 win on Thursday at Southern Nazarene.

OC is 2-0 for the first time since 2013 and will enter this Thursday's home opener against a third Great American Conference foe, Oklahoma Baptist, with significant momentum after scoring six goals through two games.

"It was a great response from our guys after playing a flat first half," OC coach David Scott said. "We came out a little slow and were just off the pace of the game. In the second half, we came back with a lot more energy and focus and it completely changed the game.

"It's good to get a game like this early in the season, where it didn't go smoothly and we didn't play as well as we would have liked, but still found a way to get the result we wanted. Hopefully we don't start another game like this, but at least it builds the belief we are never out of a game."

As Scott noted, Saturday's win didn't come without some struggles. Harding (0-1) outshot the Eagles 17-15 and took the lead in the 42nd minute on a goal by Jason Diaz.

After halftime, OC tied the game in the 54th minute when Sebastian Capkovic – one of a slew of newcomers for the Eagles in 2017 – took a cross from Anthony Buchanan and tapped it past Harding goalkeeper Michael Wasson into the left side of the goal.

A Harding foul in the penalty box resulted in a penalty kick for OC in the 67th minute, which Garrett Blume converted for his first career goal, giving the Eagles a 2-1 lead. The Bisons quickly answered, with Andre Cunha's header eluding OC goalkeeper Gianluca Marchetti in the 70th minute.

Buchanan picked up his second assist on Parrish's goal, sending in a cross from the left side. After that, the Eagles' defense clamped down, not allowing a Harding shot the rest of the way.

Scott praised his reserve players, who have played a key role in both wins. Parrish has come off the bench in both games for OC.

"We have had great performances over the last two games by our substitutes," Scott said. "They have come on and raised our level and played a major role in the success we have had. It's nice to have the options and flexibility that allow us to make changes to our team and our level doesn't drop. It has allowed us to give teams different looks and create some different problems for our opponents to solve."

Marchetti made seven saves for OC, while Wasson had four for the Bisons.

OC took a 2-1-1 lead in the series against Harding, which began in 2014. Both of OC's wins in the series have come at Harding.