ALEXANDRIA, La. — Texas Wesleyan (0-2-0) fell to LSU Alexandria (1-1-0) with a final score of 2-1 on Wednesday at Generals SOC Pitch. Texas Wesleyan's effort included a second-half goal, but LSU Alexandria's two first-half goals proved decisive.
The first period began with Texas Wesleyan holding firm defensively as
Rafael Dos Santos made a crucial save against a header from LSU Alexandria's Pablo Novoa Martin. The visiting team managed to create offensive opportunities, with
Nathaniel Neang and
Selmane Azibi taking shots, though they were unable to convert.
LSU Alexandria capitalized on a penalty kick in the 29th minute, scored by Ben McCarron, putting them in the lead. McCarron added another goal in the 36th minute with an assist from Shay Meagher, extending the home team's advantage. Despite the Rams' efforts, including a late attempt by
Henrique Soares, they entered the break trailing 2-0.
The second period saw Texas Wesleyan initiating a strong offensive effort. Early in the period,
Peter Tenorio delivered a precise pass across the 18-yard box, allowing
Arcel Zambrano to capitalize by finding the net, reducing the deficit to one. Dos Santos was instrumental in maintaining the pressure, making crucial saves on multiple occasions, notably denying McCarron's header and shot attempts.
As the period progressed, the Rams continued to apply pressure, with efforts from
Rudy Gonzalez and
Nicholas Duderstadt testing LSU Alexandria's defense. Despite their offensive endeavors, Texas Wesleyan faced a resilient opponent and multiple fouls from both sides disrupted the flow of the game. The period concluded with Texas Wesleyan trailing by one, as the scoreboard read 2-1 in favor of LSU Alexandria.
Dos Santos recorded five saves during the match, showcasing his defensive capabilities. Zambrano found the back of the net, tallying one goal from two shots. Tenorio contributed to the team's efforts by adding an assist, playing a key role in the offensive setup.
Chandler Brookins also made a notable impact with an assist, supporting the team's attacking plays.
McCarron led LSU Alexandria with two goals, including the game-winning score, from six total shots, five of which were on target. Meagher contributed with an assist, playing a crucial role in setting up offensive opportunities. Novoa Martin and Lucas O'Donnell both made their presence felt on the field, each recording two shots with one on target, adding pressure to the opposition's defense.
The Rams take on Bethel (TN) on Friday, August 28 at 1pm in Alexandria.
