OTTUMWA — Despite an unbeaten start to the season, Ottumwa head boys soccer coach Andy Maw knew his team had yet to truly be tested.
The last team to beat the Bulldogs provided that test on Friday at Schafer Stadium.
Ephraim Lunganga completed a hat trick, scoring three goals including a pair of scores early in the second half as Des Moines Roosevelt handed Ottumwa its first loss of the season. The Roughriders put away a 5-1 Iowa Alliance Conference south division victory.
Oscar Perez and Isaiah LaMark added goals in the first half for the Roughriders, opening a 3-0 lead late in the first half. Yefferson Rodriguez Mendoza got the Bulldogs back in the match late in the half, scoring with 15 minutes left on a penalty kick netting his team-leading eighth goal of the season.
Ottumwa (4-1-1, 1-1 Iowa Alliance) heads to Des Moines Lincoln on Tuesday.
