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LeTourneau University Athletics

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LeTourneau University, opens in new tab
Moises Soto-Barrera/Gustavo Martinez
Jennifer Segura
1
Hardin-Simmons HSU (0-7-1, 0-3-0 ASC)
2
Winner LeTourneau LETU (3-4-1, 2-2-0 ASC)
Hardin-Simmons HSU
(0-7-1, 0-3-0 ASC)
1
Final
2
LeTourneau LETU
(3-4-1, 2-2-0 ASC)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 OT 2 F
Hardin-Simmons HSU 0 1 0 0 1
LeTourneau LETU 1 0 0 1 2

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | Contact: Christy Garrett, Sports Information Assistant, ChristinaGarrett@letu.edu

LeTourneau Soccer Earns 2-1 Double-Overtime Victory Over Hardin-Simmons

LONGVIEW, Texas – Fighting through wet and slippery conditions, the LeTourneau University men's soccer team produced a golden goal to secure a 2-1 victory in a double-overtime thriller against Hardin-Simmons University on Saturday, September 22nd.

The dramatic win lifted LETU to a 3-4-1 overall record and a 2-2 record in American Southwest Conference action. The Cowboys failed to come up with their first victory of the season, falling to  0-6-1  overall and 0-3-1 record in ASC action.  

How it Happened
  • After last year's matchup ended in a draw, the YellowJackets and Cowboys found themselves in another evenly matched duel throughout much of the first half.
  • HSU saw the first big opportunity of the match as they would string together two corner kicks and five shots midway through the first half.
  • Despite the multitude of opportunities for the Cowboys, YellowJacket goalie C.J. Leyva, would turn away all three shots on goal to keep the game scoreless.
  • It was LETU who was able to profit from a corner kick in the 35th minute, when Eric Smith would redirect a failed clearance by the Cowboys into the net for the only goal of the first half.
  • Coming out of the break, each team would be able to get off multiple shots and keep the pressure on each team's goalie.
  • It wasn't until the 72nd minute that HSU put serious pressure on the YellowJacket defense as they earned four corner kicks in a span of three minutes.
  • After four missed opportunities on the previous three corner kicks, the Cowboys would find an equalizer at the 71:06 mark by knocking the ball into the net off a blocked shot to deadlock the game at 1-1 with thirteen minutes remaining in regulation.
  • The rest of regulation would go by relatively quietly as YellowJacket senior Alec Wier would put off the final shot attempt in regulation but see the ball miss high.
  • Primed to bounce back after the late-regulation goal by the Cowboys, LETU controlled possession for the majority of the first overtime period, earning three corner kicks and two shots with a prime opportunity getting cleared off the goal line at the last second.
  • Trying to re-claim offensive possession, Hardin-Simmons responded in the second overtime period by putting up three shots before LeTourneau would get a chance to counterattack in the 109th minute.
  • 57 seconds away from coming away with a draw, the YellowJackets refused to back down as Wier sent in a picture-perfect pass to the middle of the 18 yard box where he found Moises Soto-Barrera in stride.
  • Soto-Barrera made the most of his one-on-one opportunity with the HSU goalie, sending a shot into the top right corner of the net over outstretched arms to give the YellowJackets a 2-1 overtime victory. 
Key Stats:
  • Leyva earned his third win between the pipes for the YellowJackets, recording five saves and holding the Cowboys to just a single goal.
  • Each team came away with six shots on goal, but it would be Hardin-Simmons who held a commanding upper hand in total shots with 26 compared to only nine for LETU.
  • There was a great deal of action in the corners for the Cowboys as they saw an 18-8 advantage on corner kicks but were able to capitalize on just the one as the LETU defense would stand up to the task on set pieces.
  • With only the second shot of his season, Soto-Barrera netted the first goal of his collegiate career for the YellowJackets.
What's Next?
The YellowJackets will look to carry their momentum with them as they travel to Alpine, TX to take on Sul Ross State University on Saturday, September 29th at 3:30 p.m. The Lobos will enter next week with a 1-4 overall record and a 1-1 record in conference play and are scheduled to take on East Texas Baptist University on Thursday afternoon.
 
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