Box Score A goal off a diving header in the 16
th minute and a goal from the top of the box in the 51
st minute propelled the LeTourneau University men's soccer team to a 2-0 win over Howard Payne University on Friday evening at the LETU Soccer Field.
In a contest that pitted two opponents with identical nicknames, it was an aggressive LeTourneau offensive attack as well as an organized defensive that gave the home team its fourth win in five contests at the friendly confines of the LETU Soccer Field.
With the win, LeTourneau raises its overall record to 5-9-1 overall and 3-3 in the American Southwest Conference. In the loss, Howard Payne falls to 1-14 overall and 0-7 in the American Southwest Conference.
After an early shot by Howard Payne, the LeTourneau offense began to assemble a tenacious offensive attack. Three shots sailed wide, two more were blocked by the HPU defense but it wasn't until a diving header by freshman
Adam Schultz put the home team on the board in the 16
th minute. Set up perfectly by senior
Edwin Raudales, Schultz sacrificed his body and dove in for the header that went to the back of the net for the 1-0 advantage.
LeTourneau looked to add to its lead throughout the first half but were unsuccessful. With the offensive pressure being dominated by LETU, the visitors mounted a threat in the 39
th minute that was punched away by the LeTourneau defense. After halftime, the two teams regrouped but it was the offensive pressure of LETU that stretched the lead to 2-0 when an alert sophomore
Israel Madrid (pictured) scored from the top of the box and over the HPU goalkeeper in the 51
st minute.
HPU attempted to cut into the lead for the rest of the contest; however, Barba and his defensive teammates locked down and kept the visitors off the scoreboard for their second shutout of the 2013 campaign.
There will be a quick turnaround for LeTourneau, who will host Hardin-Simmons on Saturday at 6 p.m. At the game, LETU will honor
Josh Bishop,
Hunter Hembrough,
Anthony Martinez,
Martin Pflaum,
Edwin Raudales,
Eric Reyes and
Patrick Tchekane.
Post-game interview with Hunter Hembrough, courtesy of Buzz Vision
