Saints Resilience Results in Draw Against Southwest

HOBBS, N.M. (Oct. 3, 2024) – In a display of unwavering determination, the Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) men's soccer team, despite being down 1-0 in the first half, rallied to score three goals. However, the University of the Southwest (USW) also scored three, resulting in a tie. This resilient performance moves the Saints to 2-7-1 overall and 1-3-1 in conference, while the Mustangs are now 3-3-2 and 1-2-2 in conference.

Head Coach Shane Hurley commented, "I'm proud of the resilience the men demonstrated coming from behind and take the 3-2 lead. It was crushing to have to settle for a draw on a last second goal against. Still, we are proud of the efforts displayed and will strive for more success."

History

The Saints are 13-6-2 against the Mustangs. In 2023, the Saints won 1-0.

Game recap

The Mustangs came out battling in the first half and kept OLLU keeper Dominic Pena busy guarding the net. The team took five shots on goal through the 29th minute when one Pena. The goal by USW's Yahir Chacon was unassisted.

The Saints offense recovered, taking four while limiting USW to two shots to end the period.

OLLU's Thiago Fernandes got the equalizer after only 27 seconds into the second half. He made the shot on an assist from Andres Rocha.

The score stayed at one through the 68th minute when USW's Genesis Carillo scored on an assist from Diego Romero. Fernandes scored again to tie the game at 2-2. The unassisted goal was in the 80th minute. A little more than a minute later, Andres Rocha gave the Saints the 3-2 lead on an assist from Fernandes.

With six minutes left in the game, USW scored the equalizer, and time ran out before either team had any more opportunities to score.

The Saints logged 13 shots, eight on goal, while Southwest took 19, 10 on goal.

OLLU's Andres Rocha, Cade Ryan, and Thiago Fernandes were all shown yellow cards. USW was shown two.

Fernandes led the offense with an impressive five shots, four on goal, resulting in two goals and an assist. Rocha also made his mark with three shots, two on goal, and contributed with one goal and one assist.

Pena recorded seven saves, while USW's Jeremy Rueda had five.

What's next

The Saints will travel back to Texas for a game on Saturday against Paul Quinn College.