LONGVIEW – The LeTourneau YellowJackets christened the newly renovated soccer field at the university's Athletics and Intramural Village by defeating Schreiner 2-0 on Friday.
Dillon Holt (Boerne, Texas/Boerne) and Ben Stoeckmann (Waukesha, Wis./Faith Christian Academy) both netted their second goals of the season as the Jackets (1-4-2) improved their American Southwest Conference record to 1-1.
Holt put the YellowJackets in front early when he converted a penalty kick six minutes into the contest after he was brought down inside the penalty box. Stoeckmann added an insurance goal in the 85th minute with a 19-yard blast after the Mountaineers were unable to clear the ball from danger.
In claiming his first match-winner of the season, Holt scored the 39th goal of his LeTourneau career, tying the school's NCAA-era record.. Holt tied the mark held by Seth Haesecke, who finished career in 2000 and is the brother of LeTourneau head coach Matt Haesecke.
LeTourneau senior goalkeeper Kyle Davis (Solon, Ohio/Solon) made six saves en route to the shutout, the 10th of his career as a YellowJacket.
Though the Mountaineers (1-5, 1-1 ASC) recorded seven shots on goal to LeTourneau's six, it was the YellowJackets who controlled the pace of the game. With the early advantage, the Jackets consistently threatened on the offensive side of the field and gave Schreiner very few good looks at the goal, particularly in the first half.
LeTourneau defenders Travis Pruett (Flower Mound, Texas/Pikeville College), Nick Novak (Longview, Texas/Pine Tree) and Patrick Thompson (Southlake, Texas/Keller) all played the full 90 minutes and contributed greatly to Jackets' shutout. Midfielders Edwin Raudales (Hurst, Texas/Grapevine), Hunter Hembrough (Longview, Texas/Longview) and Eric Reyes (Guatemala City, Guatemala/Judson University) were also among the key contributors for the Jackets.
Friday's contest was also very spirited and physical match, as 34 fouls were whistled between the two teams. Frustration eventually set in on the visiting Mountaineers, who had three players cautioned with yellow cards.
The Mountaineers came close to tying the match with less than 20 minutes remaining, but each time were turned away by great saves from Davis. Schreiner's Taylor Bontz gave Davis his first real test when he fired hard low shot that Davis stopped with a diving save in the 73rd minute.
In the 78th minute, Schreiner's Rudy Moreno got a clear look from 18 yards out, but his shot to the near left post was turned away by Davis.
The YellowJackets return to action Saturday when they host Texas Lutheran in an ASC matchup at the LeTourneau soccer field. The Bulldogs (0-6, 0-2 ASC) are still in search of their first win of the season after losing 3-0 at East Texas Baptist on Friday.
Match time between the YellowJackets and Bulldogs is scheduled for approximately 6 p.m., and is the second part of a soccer doubleheader.
