FORT WORTH, TX - Texas Wesleyan Men's Soccer (1-8) couldn't buy a goal Saturday night at Martin Field as multiple chances went astray in a 2-0 loss to Florida National (7-2), a classic example of how the final score at a glance doesn't tell the whole story.

The Rams were out-shot 19-13, but the quality of looks Texas Wesleyan received were arguably the best created all season. The two most crucial opportunities came in the second half.

In the 63rd minute, Julius Williams was able to get behind the defense, charging towards goal while fending off a straggling defender. Williams earned a clean look with only goalkeeper Rodrigo Festuccia standing in the way and miraculously, Festuccia got a leg to it and was able to clear the ball away from danger. Five minutes later, Hector Perez turned a look at goal from 25 yards away into a powerful heat-seeking missile with its destination squarely in the back of the net. Unfortunately for the Rams, the ball didn't dip quite enough and banged against the crossbar. 

It was the second time in the last three contests that the Rams have had a potential goal marred by the crossbar. In the last four losses, the Rams have been within two goals in each game. Florida National built their lead quickly with goals in the 4th and 12th minutes but after the fast start for the Conquistadors, FNU had trouble stopping a new-look TXWES attack that features Claudio Barraza creating in the midfield and finding decent looks for themselves. It just so happened that the two early goals for Florida National would be enough, as FNU hung on the rest of the way.

Defender James Kerr helped make creating offense especially difficult for the Conquistadors, harassing forwards with timely tackles and steals to lead a banged up back line. Goalkeeper Bastian Blumenberg recorded seven more saves. He now has 53, third most in the country at the NAIA level.

Texas Wesleyan begins conference play Tuesday September 24 against Southwest Assemblies of God at 7 p.m. and Southwestern Christian will come to town Tuesday October 1.