TAHLEQUAH — Bo White scored four goals to lead the Northeastern State men’s soccer team to a 4-2 victory over Oklahoma Baptist Friday night at DeLoache Field.

The senior defender netted two first-half goals, and he added two more late in the contest after the Bison were able to equalize in the 73rd minute.

“Bo was fantastic tonight,” NSU Head Coach Rob Czlonka said. “What an athlete. We could not have asked for more from him. Now that his fitness is coming along, he is really striking the heck out of the ball.”

White’s first marker came in the third minute of the game off a free kick from just outside the top of the 18-yard penalty box. His shot hit the crossbar and deflected into the net.

NSU won another free kick from virtually the same area in the 28th minute, and yet again White’s attempt was true. He rifled a shot into the top right corner.

The RiverHawks would take all the momentum and a 2-0 lead into intermission.

Oklahoma Baptist would not go down without a fight, however. The Bison were awarded a penalty kick in the 70th minute after a tackle from behind inside the box. Victor Costa kept his shot on the deck and put away OBU’s first goal of the match to cut the lead in half.

Costa equalized three minutes later after taking a strike from 20 yards out that found the back of the net.

The Bison scored both goals during a period when Czlonka was using a plethora of substitutions and reserves in an effort to get all his players adequate minutes.

He brought back in most of his starters late in the game, and they took back control of the contest.

White scored the game-winning goal in the 78th minute, and he added his fourth marker of the match off a corner kick from junior midfielder Juan Gonzalez. The corner took a deflection and White was able to loft the ball into the frame.

“Our starters and main subs played very well,” Czlonka said. “I think our team is very strong, and we have a lot of depth. OBU is typically a nationally-ranked NAIA school, so I’m happy with our performance. We just need to take it one game at a time. If we’re healthy, we’ll be a handful.”

NSU outshot the Bison 24-10. The physical exhibition saw 38 total penalties and five cautions.

Senior goalkeeper Jordan Ladbrooke played the first half and saved the only shot he faced.

Both freshmen played the second 45 minutes of the contest, and they both conceded a goal to Costa. Neither Eric Shephard nor Jackson Biles were forced to make a save.

Marcus Oliveira played the full 90 for OBU, and he allowed four goals while making six saves.

The RiverHawks will have the annual Green vs. White scrimmage at 7 p.m. Aug 26, and then the team will open its regular season at Missouri-St. Louis at 7 p.m. Aug. 31.