SAGU, behind Martinez goals, ties U-D, 2-2

Lions play superbly, Coach Nichols claims

IRVING, Texas -- After giving the effort it takes to win, the Southwestern Assemblies of God University men’s soccer team had to settle for a 2-2, double overtime tie with the University of Dallas.

The Lions, now 2-2-2, controlled play during the match, dominating at times, according to Gerald Nichols, SAGU’s new head coach.

“I am so proud of our young men,” he said afterwards. “Down two men, they continued to battle, attacking, taking the action to the other team. We won at playing the possession game all the way to the end. It really should have been a win.”

“It was a great game, perhaps our best,” declared Jonathan “Colocho” Ramos (Tegucigalpa, Honduras). “Everyone played with great passion.”

Southwestern scored the game’s first and third goals, both by junior Danny Martinez (Houston, Tx / Cypress Creek HS). The host Crusaders were stifled throughout except for two questionable calls near the box that drew direct kicks.

Each time the home team cashed in. A header by an unmarked player and a well-executed score allowed Dallas to knot the score. The first tally came in the 38th minute, the equalizer in the 77th.

Twice was nice!

Martinez scored twice for the second straight game, a result of his strong play in the box, said Coach Nichols. “He plays very well in traffic,” he added. “His upper-body strength and his quickness are definite assets.”

His first score came after Ramos drove down the right side to the 22-yard area. Ramos cut sharply to his left and beat two defenders. As a third approached, he deftly passed to Martinez, who was near the penalty arc. He touched the ball once, and then blasted the goal from 18 yards out, a low laser to the right, beyond the keeper’s reach.

The second was similar, except the attack rose from the left flank. Midfielder Parker Sturgeon (Bartlesville, Ok / Bartlesville HS) advanced toward the goal at an angle, split a pair of defenders and spotted Martinez to his right. Two touches moved Martinez inside the box, where he scorched a shot into the upper netting for a 2-1 lead 51:43 into the game.

Both Parker and Martinez had chances to win it in extra time. The latter grazed the goalpost with an attempt.

Facing an inspired U-of-Dallas (NCAA Division III) team and a whistle-happy official, the Lions battled to the draw while playing short-handed by two men through both overtime periods. They were cited for a season-high 27 fouls, doubling their previous high. SAGU had 27 in their first five games combined. U-D was called for 13.

CATurday: Lions versus Jaguars

SAGU returns to the pitch on Saturday, September 17, with a 5:00pm clash with the University of Houston at Victoria (NAIA Independent). The Jaguars are currently 5-1 (3-0 at home), outscoring their opponents 15-3. The game will feature a webcast (LiveStats), available from the school’s website.

Victoria, thirty miles from the Gulf of Mexico, is 248 miles from Waxahachie.

It is the final non-conference game before SAGU begins league play at nearby Northwood University (Cedar Hill) on September 22. Game time is slated for 3:00pm.

Contact: Mark “Link” Warde, Sports Information Director, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 469-658-2847.