Soccer Teams Sweep College of the SW

Offense was the name of the game, as the USAO men’s soccer team scored a season-high three goals in a 3-2 win Friday against the College of the Southwest. The Drover women escaped with a 2-1 over time win over the Mustangs during the first day of the USAO Soccer Classic.

With their one-goal win, the USAO men improve to 5-2-1 overall, and have won five of their last six matches. Meanwhile, the Drover women improve to 6-1-1 overall. Both teams are on four-game winning streaks.

On Saturday, the Drovers finish off the tour-team USAO Classic with a doubleheader against Texas Wesleyan. Kickoff for the women’s game is scheduled for 3 p.m., followed by the men around 5 p.m. The other doubleheader features College of the Southwest and St. Gregory’s, beginning at 11 a.m.

In the men’s game Friday, both teams scored four of the match’s five goals in the first half. USAO junior Sean Neal opened the game with a goal in the fourth minute of play, but CSW came back with two goals by Mariano Sapien to take a slim 2-1 lead.

Sophomore Tom Hubbard evened things just before halftime, with a goal on an assist from sophomore Adam Day. Neal opened the second half just like the first, with what turned to be the game-winner in the 48^th minute. CSW had a chance to tie the game on a penalty kick with about six minutes left, but Mark Lukowiecki knocked the shot off the left goalpost.

Ballmann, a junior, finished with three saves, and allowed two goals in the win. CSW’s Marin Jurado corralled six saves, but surrendered three goals for the one-goal loss. Hubbard, junior Nate Phillips, senior Jason Wilson and sophomore Jonathan Oman each received yellow cards in the physical game.

In the women’s game, senior Stefanie Tyree scored the game-winner about midway through the overtime period from about 15 yards out on a cross pass from freshman Helen Buckingham. This was USAO’s third overtime game this season, and the  Drovers are 2-0-1 in those matches.

With an evenly-played first half, neither team scored a goal until the 67^th minute, when CSW’s Sarah Lapchak scored on a rebound in front of the goalkeeper. In the 81^st minute, senior Laura Parker tied the game on a direct free kick near the 20-yard mark.

Junior goalkeeper Katy Newville finished with two saves, and allowed one goal. The Mustang’s Erika Meza collected six saves and allowed two goals. CSW’s Emily Miller picked up the game’s only yellow card.

In the morning two matches, Texas Wesleyan swept a doubleheader over St. Gregory’s. The women won 2-1, while the men claimed a 2-0 victory.

Texas Wesleyan’s Jessica Carrion and Nichole Richardson each scored goals in the 38^th and 54^th minutes, respectively. St. Gregory’s kept it close with a goal by Amy Rogers in the 56^th minute.

The TWU men got a goal from Travis Mauldin in the 69^th minute, and another by Nathan Mutchler in the 86^th minute for the shutout.