Box Score
FORT WORTH, TX: The Texas Wesleyan University men's soccer team (8-1-1, 2-0 SAC) took a decisive 8-2 win in Sooner Athletic Conference play over Oklahoma Baptist University (1-7, 0-2) at Martin Field on Tuesday.

Just hours before the game the latest NAIA Men's Soccer Coaches' Poll was released, and Texas Wesleyan jumped from no. 22 to no. 16. That marks the program's highest ever ranking.

Ivan Kovacevic keyed the offensive onslaught with seven points on two goals and three assists.

The Rams set an aggressive tone with a foul just six seconds into the contest. Then, in the ninth minute, Kovacevic played a corner kick into the box and Abdi Mahdi headed in his third goal of the season. Alejandro Rivas made it 2-0 with a strike in the 29th minute. The Bison answered just before the half with a goal from Khalil Benalioulhaj took keep the game close.

In the 47th minute Kovacevic knocked in a free kick. Two minutes later, OBU's Cristobal Allerdes was shown a red card and the Bison continued a man down. Denis Ushakov scored in the 56th minute, and Kovacevic scored again in the 59th minute to quickly push the Rams' advantage to 5-1.

OBU's Sam Smith briefly kept things interesting with a goal in the 67th minute. Hector Vargas knocked in a Kovacevic corner kick in the 69th minute. James Smith scored off a Kovacevic assist in the 71st minute, and David Hagen found the net in the 74th minute to put the game well out of reach at 8-2.

For the game, the Rams outshot the Bison 26-18. Texas Wesleyan was whistled for 15 fouls and two yellow cards. Oklahoma Baptist committed 13 fouls, two yellow cards, and a red card.

Arnold Martinez (7-1-1) made four saves in the win. Colin Spencer made four saves in the loss for OBU.

The Rams are back in action on Saturday, when they travel to Shawnee, OK, to take on Saint Gregory's University. That game is scheduled for a 3:00 p.m. start.