FORT WORTH, TX: The Texas Wesleyan University women's soccer team (4-4) earned a 1-0 victory over Wiley College (2-1) at Martin Field Thursday evening.
The loss was the first of the season for the Wildcats who entered the contest with quality wins at Sooner Athletic Conference opponents in St. Gregory's University and Oklahoma City University.
"This was a big win tonight," commented head coach
Josh Gibbs. "Not just to get the result, but more importantly, the players showed the fight they have in them. Wiley is a very good team. They are dangerous, hard in the tackle, and sound tactically. The amount of heart the girls put into this game was incredible. I have believed in them from day one, but today they finally believed in themselves. I'm incredibly proud of them."
The Wildcats certainly had the Rams' attention from the start as the teams battled in a scoreless contest for 86:54.
In the 8th minute
Kailene Allis put the ball in the net, but the goal was waived off by a very close offside call.
In the 67th minute,
Drea Molina had a good look, but her shot sailed just high. With the tension ratcheting up, the Wildcats broke free in the 79th minute, but Texas Wesleyan goalkeeper
Nikki Lockwood came all the way out of the box to make a tackle and keep the game scoreless.
Finally, with just 3:06 to play,
Theresa Garsztecki got around a defender and found herself alone with the goalkeeper. Her fifth goal of the season proved to be the game-winner.
The game was as close statistically as the score would indicate. Wiley led 15-11 in shots, while shots on goal were even 3-3. Corner Kicks were also even 3-3. Lockwood made three saves in her second shutout of the season. Wiley's Keri Myers made two stops in the loss.
The Rams will open SAC play on Tuesday, when they host St. Gregory's. That game is scheduled for a 5:00 p.m. start at Martin Field.
Ramblings
- Lockwood is Texas Wesleyan's career leader with 20 shutouts.
- Texas Wesleyan is now 2-0 all-time against Wiley. The Lady Rams are 6-2 against St. Gregory's after winning each of the last six meetings.
- Two of Garsztecki's five goals this season are of the game-winning variety.
