FORT WORTH – The Texas Wesleyan University men's soccer team (9-7-3) suffered a 3-1 loss to Southwestern Christian University (11-6-2) in the SAC Tournament quarterfinal match at Martin Field on Monday.
 
Under the lights in near perfect conditions, one of the largest crowds to ever share the lawn at Martin Field were treated to an intense battle between two championship-minded teams. SCU, who just lost a 4-1 game at Martin Field a week ago, returned to take a 3-1 win. The Eagles advance to play at #9 Mid-America Christian in the title match on Thursday, Nov. 11.
 
The Rams found an early lead on the foot of Oscar Odriozola, who found paydirt from just inside the box in the 23rd minute for his 10 th goal of the seson. Mateja Jovanovic earned the assist, his fourth of the season.
 
The Eagles would find the equalizer nearly 10 minutes later when Teejay Chiororo found Muhammed Bilal in the 32nd.
 
Not long after that SCU got in behind the defense, which led to a foul in the box to invoke a penalty kick. Paul Richter put that one in four a 2-1 edge in the half time. The Eagles score the third in the 69th.
 
The Rams had plenty of opportunities against the porous Eagle defense, but the progression just never got to goal too many times. SCU was able to maintain a very contested advantage possessing the ball throughout the second half, cutting out flurries of Ram buildups.
 
"It was a tough one tonight, but I'm extremely proud of this team,." said head coach Cole Sweetser. "Seeing them grow so much this year has been amazing. Our seniors have helped us so much to get us to this point and I can't thank them enough. The future is bright."
 
Odriozola put three shot on frame in the loss, the only Ram to record a shot on goal. One of those shots on goal nearly went in, an absolute beauty from distance and right of goal that hit the left post and took an SCU bounce.
 
The team had 10 shots in total, with a pair of corner kicks.
 
The program's nine wins is the most since 2015.