MCPHERSON, KS - Texas Wesleyan Men's Soccer (4-11, 3-3 SAC) finished a long stretch of road games splitting the four contests, capped off with a 2-1 victory at Central Christian (5-8-1, 1-5 SAC) Saturday afternoon.

Both defenses worked to limit shots throughout the day, the Tigers claiming a slight 11-10 edge. But it was the Rams' aggressiveness in the first half - out-shooting Central Christian 7-3 - that separated the two squads.

Julius Williams got a score in the 22nd minute, quickly followed by Claudio Barraza's successful strike in the 30th minute. Barraza and Williams each managed four looks at goal, while Juan Ray and Alberto Lopez each got one shot off. Goalkeeper Bastian Blumenberg owned five saves, four coming in the second half.

It was Barraza's ninth goal of the season and his third consecutive game with a score equaling his nine goals from 2018. Williams scored his third of the season, all in the last five matches. The three wins in conference matches the three the team won in 2015, 2016 and 2018, trying to get over the hump with three games remaining in the regular season.

The Rams forced a three-way tie for fifth in the conference with Oklahoma Panhandle State and University of Science and Arts-Oklahoma with the victory. TXWES lost to both squads earlier this season, but did take out third-place Southwestern Christian at home before taking the extended leave from Martin Field.

Either way, the win gives the Rams separation from the bottom of the conference, now two games ahead of Southwestern Assemblies of God, Central Christian and Oklahoma City. 

The conference's lone unbeaten John Brown, second place Mid-America Christian and fourth place Wayland Baptist remain on the schedule. The Golden Eagles are up first, Thursday October 24, 7 p.m. at Martin Field.