Two first half goals led host East Texas Baptist University men's soccer to a 2-0 win over LeTourneau University on Friday night in the ASC opener for both programs.
The YellowJackets (2-5-1, 0-1 ASC) fought back with an aggressive attack in the final 45 minutes that challenged an ETBU defense. Four different YellowJackets -
Aaron Hastings,
Jake Klem,
Hunter Swift and Alec Weir - each had multiple shots in the loss.
The Tigers (1-6, 1-0 ASC) midfielder Gustavo Vasquez scored in the 11th and 35th minute, respectively. Goalkeeper Juan Perales made three saves for his first shutout of the season for East Texas Baptist.
LETU had a pair of early opportunities on corner kicks before Vasquez scored his first goal of the night in the 11th minute. The Dallas native trapped the ball and picked it up on a bounce for the early 1-0 lead. Vasquez and ETBU added to its lead in the 35th minute when he took advantage of a quick pass after a throw in for a 2-0 advantage.Â
Coming out of the halftime break, LeTourneau had six shots in the final 45 minutes. SeniorÂ
Mario Lopez nearly put the YellowJackets on the scoreboard when he had a diving header that was scooped up by Perales in the 57th minute.Â
LeTourneau will return to action on Thursday, Oct. 1 when they travel to face another local rival, UT Tyler at 7 p.m.
