September 27, 2025

McPherson, KS – The Nelson University Lions men's soccer team opened Sooner Athletic Conference play on the road Saturday, Sept. 27, battling through a physical matchup but ultimately falling 2–1 to Central Christian College.

The opening 45 minutes were marked by tight defending and hard challenges from both sides. Nelson generated early chances including a header from Joel Palmer and long-range efforts from Sergio Lopez Garcia and Omolemo Matla but couldn't break through. Central Christian struck first in the 21st minute when Liam Harris found the back of the net to give the hosts a 1–0 lead.

The deficit doubled in the 53rd minute when Alejandro Veintimilla slipped through Nelson's back line to make it 2–0. Refusing to fold, the Lions kept pressing. Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute when Joel Palmer scored a goal, cutting the margin to 2–1. Despite late pressure and a flurry of corners, Nelson couldn't find the equalizer.

By the Numbers
Nelson and Central Christian matched each other with near-identical stat lines: 14–13 shots and 5–2 corners in favor of the Lions. Goalkeeper Amir Raime tallied 4 saves to keep the Lions within striking distance. Midfielders Matla, Lopez Garcia, and Palmer combined for 8 of Nelson's 14 shots.

What's Next
The Lions (5–3–1, 0–1 SAC) will look to bounce back quickly as conference play continues. Sept. 30 (Tue) – 5:00 PM vs. Southwestern Christian University at the Lions Athletic Complex

Nelson University (formerly SAGU) is a private Christian university, established in 1927 by P.C. Nelson. The University is located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas, and offers more than 70 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus or online. For more information, visit www.nelson.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-NELSON.