FORT WORTH, TX: The Texas Wesleyan University women's soccer team (7-3-1, 2-1-1) powered home a pair of second half goals in their Breast Cancer Awareness Month pink jerseys to defeat rival Southwestern Assemblies of God University (7-6, 1-3 SAC) at Martin Field on Saturday.
The Lady Rams seemed a little tentative to start the match, facing a highly upgraded Lady Lion team than those that took to the pitch in years past
The Lady Rams broke free toward goal in the first minute, but
Shrareh Asadi just missed wide left of frame.
The Lady Lions tried to lob the ball over the back line early and often, beating the defense, but not beating goalkeeper
Nikki Lockwood as the Wesleyan ace bailed her team out with three saves in a matter of three minutes.
Samantha Moore got her leg behind a well hit shot from about 20 yards outside the box, but was turned away from SAGU goalkeeper Alaina Jones.
The Lions took control of the match in the 20th minute after Nadine Jaimes found the back of the net to make it a 1-0 game. The two teams plated that way until half time.
The Lady Rams came out in the second half more aggressive and optimistic, knowing they were the better team and playing as such.
The Lady Rams spent more time in the SAGU half of the field, challenging their opponent with nine shots in the first 20 minutes of the back half.
Wesleyan kept the pressure on and it paid off in the 70th minute when
Sabina Obidinski knocked the equalizer in the top left side of the goal on a free kick just outside the box.
The goal deflated the Lady Lions and as the Rams kept building momentum, the crowd cheered in anticipation of a winning goal. The Texas Wesleyan faithful got their wish, as Obidinski, who was just subbed back into the game, placed a cross into the box from the deep left corner of the field that found the head of
Theresa Garsztecki standing at the back post to score the go ahead goal in the 81st minute.
The Lady Lions had no answer and the Lady Rams sealed the 2-1 victory over their in-state rival.
Head coach
Josh Gibbs gave a lot of credit to SAGU, "Simply put, we were not very good tonight. Give a lot of credit to SAGU. They put us under so much pressure and made it very tough for us to settle in and keep the ball. That is the best SAGU team we've seen. (SAGU head coach) Mandy has done a great job building their program. Although I thought SAGU had the better performance tonight, I'm so impressed with our ability to find a way to win. The run of play wasn't working for us, so we took advantage of two set pieces. I'm just floored by the "never say die" attitude of these girls. I'm incredibly proud of them."
The Lady Rams will head to Shawnee, OK for a meeting with St. Gregory's University on Friday, October 16 starting at 1:00 pm.
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