BETHANY, Okla. — Texas Wesleyan (7-6-5, 5-3-1 SAC) defeated Southwestern Christian (9-4-2, 4-4-1 SAC) 2-0 on Tuesday. Texas Wesleyan protected the shutout during a late second-half stretch from 75:16 to 86:20, facing six Southwestern Christian attacking actions without conceding.
Texas Wesleyan got to halftime in a 0-0 match, with
Noah Epler-McDonnell making two saves as Southwestern Christian put pressure on goal in the first half. Earlier,
Henrique Soares sent a shot high in the 13th minute and
Peter Tenorio followed with another high attempt in the 16th as Texas Wesleyan looked for the opening goal. Southwestern Christian tested Epler-McDonnell with Curtis Clarke's shots in the 19th and 29th minutes, and Lucas Giacomini also hit the crossbar with a header in the 28th. Texas Wesleyan absorbed a late yellow card to
Mehdi Dif and still created the final recorded chance of the half, a
Nestor Salazar shot that went high with six seconds left before the teams went into halftime scoreless.
Texas Wesleyan turned the second half with two goals in less than five minutes, as
Marco Arduino scored off
Mehdi Dif's assist at 68:51 and
Diogo Stefane followed at 73:27 to put the visitors ahead 2-0. Earlier, Texas Wesleyan created chances through a Dif header and a Stefane shot, both saved by Southwestern Christian's goalkeeper. Southwestern Christian pressed between those opportunities and the goals, but Epler-McDonnell made saves on three shots from 60:45 to 63:49 before another attempt hit the crossbar at 66:26. After Stefane's goal, Texas Wesleyan absorbed more pressure, with Epler-McDonnell adding saves at 75:16 and 88:35 while Southwestern Christian earned four late corner kicks. The half ended with Texas Wesleyan holding the 2-0 final score.
Epler-McDonnell recorded eight saves across 90 minutes and finished with a shutout. Arduino scored the game-winning goal on his lone shot, putting his attempt on frame. Stefane scored once and put both of his shots on goal. Dif recorded an assist and put his only shot on goal.
Curtis Clarke put all three of his shots on goal for Southwestern Christian. Mauro Tomas recorded three shots, including two on frame. Lucas Giacomini also finished with three shots and placed two on goal. Axel Tricot played all 90 minutes in goal and made two saves.
The Rams will host an opening round matchup in the conference tournament on November 4 with the opponent and time to be determined.
