Box Score WAXAHACHIE -
Claudio Barraza nearly doubled his goal total this season, putting in three of Texas Wesleyan University Men's Soccer's (6-6, 2-3 SAC) four goals in a 4-1 triumph over the SAGU Lions (4-9-1, 1-4 SAC), a critical victory to put the bottomfeeders in the SAC behind the Rams.
Barraza's first came in the 30th minute, assisted by
George Battersby. Just six minutes later, Barraza nailed another one, this time assisted by
Jovanni Angon. His third came in the 65th minute with a third different assister -
Zion Balogun.
SAGU scored just 90 seconds later (Heriberto Diaz), but
Zion Balogun tacked on one more for good measure in the 78th minute, assisted by Keagan da Silva.
It was the first conference game the men have scored four goals in since the conference opener against St. Gregory's in 2016, and the first conference game the team has had four different passers record assists since defeating Wiley College in the Red River Athletic Conference on October 11, 2012 - exactly eight years to the date - a true team effort.
Four of the eight shots put on target Thursday resulted in goals for the Texas Wesleyan Rams, who ultimately out-shot SAGU, 14-11. The Lions only were called for two fouls, despite picking up two yellow cards.
Bastian Blumenberg registered a handful of saves in the team's fourth shutout of 2018, the most since 2015 (five shutouts).
The game was originally to be played Tuesday but was moved due to rain and lightning likely.
SAGU gave Texas Wesleyan its toughest test in a ten minute stretch of early second half play, going toe-to-toe with the Rams offensively between the 50th and 60th minutes. Blumenberg saved three of the four Lion shots and Texas Wesleyan got off three of their own, but all went wide or high.
After the Lions' first goal, the rush jump-started SAGU again. The Lions fired three shots in the 2:30 window that followed, including two from Mazvita Chidarara, who - despite leading SAGU in shots with four - couldn't brush one past Blumenberg. Guillermo Estrada clanked a shot off the crossbar in the 76th minute, another opportunity that didn't go in the Lions' favor.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Rams will host 3-1-1 University of Science and Arts Tuesday night, a team Texas Wesleyan topped 2-1 the last time the Drovers made an appearance at Martin Field (2016). It'll be a bit chilly, with the weather report showing a high of 51 and a low of 47 on gameday.
