MARSHALL, Texas – After falling behind 1-0 at halftime, the East Texas Baptist University men's soccer rallied back in the second half with two goals to claim a 2-1 win over Schreiner University. Rafael Mijares nailed the game winner in the 81st minute giving ETBU the lead for good. This win puts ETBU at 1-0 overall and is the second time in three years that Chris Crawford's team has won the season opener.
Travis Floyd (one shot on goal) and Dominic Wood (one shot on goal) would have two shots in the game for ETBU while Rafael Mijares would tally the game-winner for the Tigers. Also with shots on goal were Max Ponticorvo, Tristan England, and Thomas Sanford. Goalkeepers Bryant Botello (five saves) and Justin Groves (three saves) teamed up for eight saves overall. For the Mountaineers, Nic Blake and Juan Puente each had three shots with two on goal while Bishop Wood would score the only goal on a penalty kick. Goalkeeper Juan Lucero made five saves for SU throughout the ninety minutes played.
The first half was evenly matched with both defenses affecting the tempo of the game as neither team would score. The scoreless game would end in the 33rd minute when SU would convert a penalty kick to give the Mountaineers a 1-0 lead. ETBU would have a chance to tie in the 42nd minute but the header shot was saved. SU would take a 1-0 lead into halftime.
Six minutes into the second half, ETBU would get a goal (51:10) as SU had an own goal to tie the game. For the next thirty minutes, Botello would prevent SU shots from going in, including making a brilliant save at the 67th minute on a header. ETBU would get their opportunities to score in the 61st and 70th minute only to be denied by SU's keeper. Finally, in the 81st minute, Mijares would capitalize on a golden opportunity as he would tally a score to make it 2-1 in ETBU's favor. SU would manage just two shots in the final nine minutes as ETBU would walk off the field victorious.
ETBU will return back to Cornish Field to host Murray State College at 4:00 PM on Monday.
