Crusaders Win Nail-Bitter at LeTourneau

Longview, TX - The University of Dallas men's soccer team won in nail-bitting fashion on Monday night.  The Crusaders defeated LeTourneau University 1-0 for their second win of the season.

The teams played to a scoreless tie in the first half in a back and forth manner with LeTourneau holding a slight statistical advantage.  LeTourneau led in shots, 9-6, and corner kicks, 7-6, but Dallas recorded better quality shots with a 3-1 shots on goal advantage.

The Crusaders held off a furious second half assault by the Yellowjackets as UD was under pressure the entire period.  The Yellowjackets nearly broke through with a goal in the 79th minute, but several great consecutive plays by UD goalkeeper Hayden Hampton (Roanoke, Texas) and the Crusaders back line kept LeTourneau out of the net.

Dallas finally scored in the 84th minute, as Jose Martinez (Tegucigalpa, Honduras) hit a floating shot from 25 yards out for the 1-0 lead.

LeTourneau heavily outshot Dallas in total shots, 23-10, and held a slight advantage in corner kicks, 11-10, but Dallas was more accurate on offense with a 5-4 advantage in shots on goal.

Chase Reynolds (Southlake, Texas) was the team leader in shots and shots on goal three and two, respectively, and assisted the goal by Martinez.  Hampton played the first 86 minutes of the game before being subbed out for Goncalo Pernas (Lisbon, Portugal), and in that time had four saves.

LeTourneau's Emad Mohamed led both teams in shots with seven, and goalkeeper CJ Leyva also garnered four saves.

With the win Dallas improves to 2-0-0 (0-0-0), and with the loss LeTourneau fell to at 1-1-0 (0-0-0).  Dallas continues their six game road trip as they head to Minnesota this weekend.  The Crusaders will take on The College of St. Scholastica on Friday, September 10 at 4:00 PM and then Coe College on Sunday, September 12 at 2:00 PM.  Games time are Central.