Box Score FORT WORTH, TX - Texas Wesleyan Men's Soccer (1-6) suffered another close call Tuesday night at Martin Field against LSU-Shreveport, falling 1-0. 

The Rams were so close to cracking the scoreboard, they nearly cracked the goal. In the 9th minute, Julius Williams launched from 25 yards out and smacked the crossbar on a near-perfect shot that would have given TXWES a much-needed boost to the offense's confidence. Williams had another chance in the 47th minute that sailed just wide.

Opportunities were few and far between for both sides, especially in the first half when the two teams combined for just six looks at goal. The second half was full of potential looks off of a combined 13 corners and 21 shot attempts, but only one shot fell through and many never had a chance. LSU-Shreveport's Hector Hernandez collected a bouncing ball in the box to stick the game-winner in the back of the net, ruining another brilliant performance from goalkeeper Bastian Blumenberg. 

Blumenberg recorded five more saves, not including one that didn't even count. In the final seconds of the game, the Pilots were awarded a penalty kick. Blumenberg, who has saved one penalty kick already in 2019, dove and saved Oskar Raymundo's PK drifting left, but the Rams were called for an infraction, causing the kick to be re-taken. Blumenberg got in the head of Raymundo - as his second attempt sailed high.

It was a small victory for the Rams and Blumenberg, who now has 38 saves this season, 12th in the nation. Two minutes prior to the PK save, TXWES' Max Perez saw a game-tying goal nearly fall, but the shot was saved and cleared away.

Shreveport's depth was a key contributor - five of the Pilots six shots on goal came off the bench as LSUS played seven reserves. Williams ended up as the Rams leading shot-taker with five, while Claudio Barraza got off two chances. Barraza has been bottled up all season, scoring three goals on 24 shot attempts (both lead the team).

The Rams have two more non-conference games before meeting up with Sooner Athletic Conference competition. Houston-Victoria comes to town Thursday night before Florida International brings its squad to Martin Field Saturday night at 7 p.m. Florida National visited the Rams in 2016 in the first meeting between the programs.