LONGVIEW, Texas - Trailing for a total time of just 10:46, the LeTourneau University men's soccer team would overcome conceding an early opening goal to score three consecutive first-half goals to earn a 3-1 victory over visiting Schreiner University at the LETU Soccer Field in Longview, Texas on Friday, August 31st. 

With the win, LETU improves to 1-0 on the year as first-year head coach Collin Cone earns his first collegiate head coaching victory while the Mountaineers fall to 0-1 on the season. 

"Schreiner was a good test for us as a team because they are in a similar situation as us with a new coach and a lot of new players" said head coach Collin Cone in a post-match interview. "Our new players had to learn to play a new system and Schreiner pressed us hard at the start which resulted in a mistake that led to a goal for them." "The goal was actually a wake up call and resulted in our guys playing with more purpose and urgency." "This game showed us some areas that we need to improve in and the team knows that we have to take it one game at a time." "Going forward we have to learn from the mistakes, pay attention to the small details, stay humble, and continue to grow together."

An action packed first half saw Schreiner jump out to a 1-0 lead just 5:59 into the game as a goal by Trey Brittenumn would put the YellowJackets in a deficit before newcomer Luis De La Torre found an open Alec Wier for an equalizer in the 17th minute. 

With the score knotted at 1-1, both teams would look to take control of possession and force the other into an error that could take advantage of and claim a lead they could build off of. Possession found its way to Schreiner for a corner kick at the 25:44 mark of the first half before seeing LETU counter and put the pressure on the Mountaineers with a shot by Isaiah Johnson. The saved shot would be cleaned up on the rebound by De La Torre with a blast into the back of the net to give LeTourneau their first lead of the year at 2-1 before Johnson would get a second chance and score just 54 seconds later to put the YellowJackets up 3-1. 

The two goal lead would give the YellowJackets all the momentum and allow for the offensive attack to keep pressing, forcing a goalie change for SU and three more shots by LETU before intermission. LeTourneau would head into the locker room with a two goal lead off an 8-3 advantage in shots despite not being awarded a corner kick in the first half. 

Defense set the tone of the second half as much of the final 45 minutes would be played in the middle third of the field as evidenced by just two total shots in the opening 20 minutes of action. The minimal chances allowed LETU to maintain their two goal lead as the Mountaineers would only muster one shot on goal in the second half which would be saved by goalie C.J. Leyva and give the YellowJackets the win. 

Leyva would go the distance in the net and make one save on eight shots faced (two shots on goal) to earn his first collegiate victory between the pipes. De La Torre led all players with three shots and three points thanks in part to one goal and one assist while Johnson had two shots off the bench. Brittenum and substitute Kevin Escalera led the Mountaineers after letting off two shots each. 

What's Next?
The first road game of the year will take place for LETU next Tuesday when the YellowJackets make their way to Jackson, Mississippi to take on Millsaps College at 5 p.m. on September 4th. Millsaps dropped their season opener by a final of 3-0 at Maryville College on Friday and will play at Covenant College on Saturday before hosting the YellowJackets.