Men's Soccer needs finishing touch

Alex Vazques discusses Lions' needs

Watch SAGU play tonight at 6pm

WAXAHACHIE, Texas  --  The men’s soccer team at Southwestern Assemblies of God University has their first big test this evening in Plainview, Texas.

They will face Wayland Baptist University (3-0) at 6:00pm (CST) sans two key starters.

The Pioneers have gotten off to great start, outscoring three opponents by a 9-1 count; 2-1 over Mary Hardin-Baylor, 5-0 over Houston-Victoria and 2-0 against Texas Wesleyan University.

The Pioneers play in the very tough Sooner Athletic Conference, where they posted a 7-9-3 record overall and went 4-5-1 in the SAC. At home on J.V. Hilliard Field, they have gone 5-1-2 in their last eight contests.

Fans can view the action, free-of-charge, as the match will available on video livestream at:

http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/wbu.portal to access the feed.

Assistant Coach Alejandro “Alex” Vazquez spoke prior to this morning’s six-hour charter bus ride to the panhandle to answer a few questions:

Q1) How has the team been playing overall? The Lions have controlled the ball in every game but a few defensive breakdowns have been costly in narrow defeats. How does Head Coach Clem Oancea assess things?

AV: First off, our focus is to ‘finish’ teams. We have been playing well for the most part. Unfortunately, we have not been able to finishing teams off, to put them away when they were on the ropes.

We are still going to play our (possession) game and to reduce the silly mistakes and turning the ball over on the back line.

We want to make them (other teams) chase us. Our quickness and agility are our advantages. When they are chasing us, it leads to frustration for them.

Finishing games, plain and simple. Just finish.

Q2) With so many offensive weapons, what’s preventing more scoring?

AV: We are working on finishing, making the right decisions when we’re in position to score. It is like executing in the "red zone" in American football.

I think, as a team offense, we are very dangerous. We have the capability to have our outside backs join the attack and score. Guys like (Nathan) Dyke (Waxahachie, Tx / Waxahachie HS).

We really would like to get Joel Ramirez (Red Oak, Tx / Red Oak HS), Robert Ambrosie (Iasi, Romania / Richard Wurmbrand HS), Lee Kounas (Dallas, Tx / Townview HS), and Danny Martinez (Houston, Tx / Cypress Creek HS) be more productive with the chances we’ve created. We need to score and not try to make it so pretty.

Q3) Health-wise, how does it look for this game?

AV: We are going to be missing James Swearingin (Arlington, Tx / Home School) and Danny. James has a leg injury and Danny hurt his foot in the last game. They aren’t serious and both are expected back real soon.

Q4) What about the line-up and the rotation of key reserves?

AV: I would like to focus on the players that are coming off the bench; Ben Cole (Austin, Tx / McNeil HS), Jose Hernandez (Dallas, Tx / Skyline HS), Carlos Gonzalez (Los Angeles, Cal / LABI), Jacques Rogers (Austin, Tx / Lehman HS) and Erick Quan (San Pedro Sula, Honduras / Seran Bilingual School).

These are the guys that we need to improve and be ready. It’s a long season and we know things happen. So we need to know who is going to be able to help us down the stretch. These guys have been with us and are on their toes, anxious to get in the game and contribute.

Q5) As for a long bus ride on the day of a game, how does it affect the team?

AV: It's always tough driving for six or more hours, and then getting ready to play a game. But everyone does it and its part of the game.

We just have to be mentally prepared and take care of our business.

Contact: Mark “Link” Warde, SAGU 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.