BELTON, TX (10.07.17) - The UT Dallas men's soccer team put forth a determined defensive effort Saturday night, holding off American Southwest Conference leader Mary Hardin-Baylor into overtime. But the Cru finally converted the game-winner 3:57 into the first extra period to claim a 2-1 win and remain undefeated in conference play.
Caleb Vandergriff headed home a ball off the foot of Caleb Almanza following a Cru corner kick, ending a streak of countless promising attacks, a 15-6 shot advantage and five dramatic saves by UTD freshman goalkeeper
John Nicknish.
The win kept the Cru atop the ASC standings with an 8-0 mark. UMHB, which dropped its season opener to Trinity, has now won 11 straight. UTD fell to 6-5 overall and 4-3 in the ASC standings, good enough for fourth place.
The game looked like anything but a defensive struggle in the beginning. The Comets struck first when freshman
Cole Trevor-Wilson broke away from the defense for a one-on-one scoring attack just 6:21 into the match. The Cru, however, was able to counter, scoring just :33 seconds later on a cross to Case Carnes.
The game remained tied 1-1 throughout the rest of regulation.While UMHBÂ continually assaulted the Comet zone, UTD didn't manage another shot on goal until midway through the second half.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS: While UMHB was building it's 18-5 shot advantage, the Comets were unable to record their second shot on goal until midway through the second half.
KEY PLAYERS: Daaron McFarling was the only Comet to have multiple shots (2), as well as the only other UTD player credited with a shot on goal.
UP NEXT: UTD will face Hardin-Simmons in a matchup of two teams trying to stay in the post-season hunt. The Comets and Cowboys face off at 7:30 pm Thursday.
