BELTON, Texas — Advancing to the American Southwest Conference Tournament Semi-Final match for only the second time in program history, East Texas Baptist University's (9-7-3) season ended to Hardin-Simmons University (9-7-1), 4-1. ETBU put seven of its 14 shots on goal and generated 12 shots after halftime but wasn't able to stop HSU's offense in the second half playing a man down.
The Tigers generated 14 shots and put seven on goal, while Hardin-Simmons finished with 19 shots and 13 on frame.
Ryan Lord recorded nine saves for ETBU, and
Aiden Fortenberry had the lone goal on a
Joshua Daley assist.
Preston McLean led the Tigers with three shots, including one on goal.
ETBU fell behind in the first half when Hardin-Simmons scored in the 13th minute. The Tigers pushed for an equalizer with three corner kicks from 30:21 to 32:37 and a
Jacob Whittington shot that went out left, but Hardin-Simmons held the 1-0 lead at halftime.
ETBU drew even at 1-1 in the 62nd minute when Fortenberry scored off
Joshua Daley's assist, capping a stretch that included a HSU saved shot, a corner kick and
Jacob Wenzel's shot off the woodwork. An ETBU red card at 65:17 put the Tigers down a man, Hardin-Simmons scored at 66:06, 73:35 and 79:36 to build a 4-1 advantage. The Tigers continued to push late with five shots from the 78th minute on, but the score held at 4-1.
The season ends with nine wins which is the third time under head coach
Chris Crawford and second season in a row.
HALF BREAKDOWN
First Half
- Hardin-Simmons scored and took a 1-0 lead into halftime.
- Lord made four saves as Hardin-Simmons recorded seven shots and put five on goal.
- ETBU earned a 4-2 edge in corner kicks, including three corners from 30:21 to 32:37 before Jacob Whittington's shot went left.
Second Half
- ETBU matched Hardin-Simmons with 12 shots in the half and put six on goal, while Hardin-Simmons placed eight on frame.
- Fortenberry scored off a Daley assist at 61:13, tying the match at 1-1.
- Hardin-Simmons scored three second-half goals, including two after ETBU went down a player on Edwin Jimenez's red card at 65:17, and the final score was 4-1.
- Lord made five saves in the half, while the Tigers generated five shots from the 78:00 mark through 88:33.
ETBU Top Performers
Ryan Lord
- nine saves
Aiden Fortenberry
- one goal
- one shot on goal
Joshua Daley
- one assist
- one shot on goal
Preston McLean
- three shots
- one shot on goal
