ABILENE, Texas — Battling through stormy weather, East Texas Baptist University (5-6-2, 1-3-2) came up a goal shy to Hardin-Simmons University (5-7-0, 4-2-0), 2-1, on Thursday night. ETBU finished with 17 shots and nine on goal but was held scoreless over the final 45 minutes.
Preston McLean scored ETBU's goal and led the team with four shots, including two on goal.
Ryan Lord played all 90 minutes in goal and recorded six saves.
Joshua Daley added three shots and put two on goal.
Braxton Ladwig finished with three shots, including one on goal.
ETBU answered immediately after Hardin-Simmons opened the scoring, with McLean scoring at 3:24 to tie it 1-1. The Tigers then generated a set-piece stretch with five corner kicks between 15:29 and 20:39, but Hardin-Simmons scored at 23:08 to take a 2-1 lead.
Aiden Fortenberry and
Graylen Bowman put shots on goal later in the half, and ETBU went to halftime trailing 2-1.
ETBU created repeated chances in a scoreless second half, putting five shots on goal that were saved. Lord answered Hardin-Simmons' late pressure with three saves after the 73rd minute, including two during an 81st-minute sequence. The match finished with ETBU falling 2-1.
ETBU will face McMurry University on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at Wilford Moore Stadium.
HALF BREAKDOWN
First Half
- Hardin-Simmons went ahead 1-0 at 3:23, but McLean scored for ETBU shortly thereafter to tie the match 1-1.
- ETBU generated pressure after the equalizer, earning five corner kicks from 15:29 to 20:39 and adding shots from Ladwig and Daley during that stretch.
- Hardin-Simmons scored again at 23:08 to make it 2-1, and Lord followed with a save at 24:25.
- ETBU put two more shots on goal in the half, with Fortenberry and Bowman both forcing saves.
Second Half
- ETBU created early chances after halftime, with McLean shooting high at 45:11 and Daley putting shots on goal at 52:14 and 55:04 that Hardin-Simmons saved.
- The middle of the half featured pressure both ways: Jacob Whittington and Ladwig missed attempts for ETBU, Hardin-Simmons followed with a corner and two shots wide, and Dylan Garcia and Jacob Wenzel each forced saves from the Cowboys.
- Hardin-Simmons generated the later push, with Lord saving three separate shots in a gritty effort. The second half ended scoreless, and Hardin-Simmons finished with a 2-1 win.
ETBU Top Performers
Preston McLean
----------------------
- one goal
- four shots
- two shots on goal
Ryan Lord
----------------------
- six saves
- 90 minutes in goal
Joshua Daley
----------------------
- three shots
- two shots on goal
Braxton Ladwig
----------------------
- three shots
- one shot on goal
