Midwestern State soccer edged past Texas A&M International and outshone St. Mary’s to extend its unbeaten home record to 35.
The Mustangs fought hard to secure a 1-0 victory in a frenetic match against the Dustdevils of TAMIU on Friday night.
Both teams played hard during the opening minutes of the game, trying to get on the score board early.
TAMIU Arturo Guiterrez sent a third-minute shot to MSU but Goalkeeper Michael Wood brandished a fine save that disappointed the forward. Then Zack Funk launched a shot on the visitors’ goal for Goalkeeper Jesus Cisneros to block.
The early part of the half was filled with great opportunities as well as spectacular goalkeeping.
Halftime approached as the players had endured a goalless first half.
The second half was not much different from the first with forwards from both ends barraging the opposite goalkeepers with succession of shots.
TAMUI Gutierrez seemed consistent in attack while Dean Lovegrove was threatening for the Mustangs.
Lovegrove’s 56th and 71st minute shots were blocked by TAMIU Cisneros who refused the hosts from scoring in the ordinary time.
The Mustangs had to take the game to overtime where things got more interesting.
Senior Captain Ryan Spence was tactically pushed forward for the rest of the match.
Wood made the most remarkable save of the evening when he leaped to prevent Joan Vallejo’s header that had goal written all over it.
“Its always nice for us to keep a clean sheet, but more importantly we got the win which is more important,” Wood said. “It was nice to be able to make such an important save, but I felt like I was just doing my job.”
Less than a minute after Wood’s brilliant save, Spence stole the thunder by scoring a well-deserved winner.
The skipper’s third goal of the season came off a Nathan Fitzgerald pass from a counter attack.
“The goal on Friday was intense. I have never been in a position like that,” Spence said. “I’m normally the one sprinting after the goal scorer.”
MSU then went ahead to demolish St. Mary’s University 4-0 on Sunday afternoon.
Junior Midfielder Fernando Garza registered the first goal with just seven minutes of play. Garza worked his way around the box then chipped the ball over the keeper to the right corner.
Casey Hibbs tried a shot on goal but was denied by St. Mary’s Patrick Kasperitis.
MSU won a corner kick, which Lovegrove neatly took for Spence to flick, but a defender on the goal line blocked the latter.Both players then worked together for the second goal.
Lovegrove made a short pass to Spence who doubled the lead and claimed his fourth goal of the season.
Playing as a defender, Spence had more goal chances than usual therefore putting pressure on both ends of the field.
The Mustangs had a slower second half but eventually scored in the 75th minute. Chase Robertson clipped the bar but VcMor Eligwe was well positioned to tuck the rebound in for his third of the season.
Then Eligwe returned the favor and assisted an unmarked Robertson for the game winner.
With the score at 4-0, MSU continued to test the palms of St. Mary’s goalkeeper in attempt to extend the lead.
After both victories, MSU advanced to a 7-1 for the season.
The Mustangs visits Eastern New Mexico Friday then West Texas A&M on Sunday.
