TULSA – Reed Berry played a part in both Tulsa Athletic goals as the green and yellow won, 2-1, against Club Atletico Saint Louis in the first-ever match at Athletic Community Field at Hicks Park in the NPSL home opener on Sunday (May 15).
Berry totaled the match-winning goal and an assist on the other goal to lead Tulsa Athletic to the 2-1 victory.
Berry, who plays collegiately at nearby Oral Roberts, set up the first goal for Tulsa Athletic in the sixth minute as captain Joe Garcia scored his team-high third goal in the NPSL season after only two matches to put the home side up 1-0 early.
“Berry played a great ball across the goal, where I just had to slide and fortunately the ball went into the back of the net,” Garcia said. “I thought the boys started great. We went in with a good mentality and brought tons of energy.”
Berry made it 2-0 in the 42nd minute with his first goal in the green and yellow. He blew by a Club Atletico Saint Louis defender and hit a strike with his right foot to double the Tulsa Athletic advantage to 2-0 right before halftime.
Tulsa Athletic held a 2-0 margin after the first 45 minutes at halftime.
The visiting side Club Atletico Saint Louis got on the board in the second half in the 77th minute for a 2-1 score.
The green and yellow controlled play late for the 2-1 win, moving to 2-0-0 early in the NPSL Heartland Conference season with six points.
“We’re obviously very pleased to have gotten three points in our first match at home this year,” assistant coach Ray Saari said. “We’ve started the year well with six points from our first two games and that’s a testament to the work the players have been putting in over the last three weeks.”
Brady Moody got the start in goal for Tulsa, going the full 90 minutes and allowing only one goal. He moved to 3-0 all-time as the starting goalkeeper for Tulsa Athletic. His last start came in the 2021 Heartland Conference finals in a 2-1 victory. Moody also has a shutout victory over Dallas City FC in 2021.
The match was the first-ever contest at Tulsa Athletic’s new home, Athletic Community Field at Hicks Park in east Tulsa. The green and yellow moved to Hicks Park after playing their previous three seasons at Veterans Park, now Dream Keeper Park, in downtown Tulsa.
Tulsa Athletic is now 3-0 all-time against Club Atletico Saint Louis in Tulsa, and the green and yellow have won four straight matches in the all-time series.
Tulsa Athletic travels to Demize NPSL on Thursday, May 19 at 7:30 p.m. at Drury University. A live stream will be available.
The green and yellow are back home next Sunday (May 22) at 2 p.m. against Arkansas Wolves at Athletic Community Field at Hicks Park. Tickets are $10 and a video stream will be available.
For more information on Tulsa Athletic, visit www.tulsaathletic.com.
