Late goals again fell Lions, 3-1

SAGU ends season on six-game skid

Elliott scores on PK for 1-1 halftime tie

AUSTIN, Texas  --  The men’s soccer season ended much the way it began for Southwestern Assemblies of God University.

Huston-Tillotson University, the pre-season favorites in the Red River Athletic Conference, scored two goals in the last ten minutes to hand the Lions a 3-1 defeat on the road.

A young defensive backline coughed up late scores throughout a season that ended with a six-game losing streak. Eight games were decided in the eleventh hour.

SAGU, who began the fall focused on contending in the RRAC after last year’s promising 10-9-5 campaign, finished 6-12 overall. The Lions were 2-9 in league play, eleventh in the twelve team conference.

With the win the Rams likely qualified for the RRAC tournament, pending other results today. HTU is 8-3-4 in all games and 6-2-3 in Red River play.

The veteran Rams salvaged their season by winning their final three conference games, all with late scores.

After allowing an early goal, the Lions scored before intermission on a penalty kick.

Joel Ramirez (Red Oak, Tx / Red Oak HS), a mercurial forward, was taken down in the box after maneuvering into scoring position.

The foul led to a 12-yard spot kick by sophomore midfielder Will Elliott (Mesquite, Tx / Cathedral of Praise Academy) for a 1-1 tie at recess.

“We had a couple of chances to score in the second half,” said Assistant Coach Alex Vazquez.

They included a late opportunity by Jose Hernandez (Dallas, Tx / Skyline HS).  The redshirt freshman has enjoyed a productive season, making the most of his playing time as a highly technical player.

Danny Martinez (Houston, Tx / Cy-Creek HS), a senior forward, also had a chance, but he wasn’t able to control a pass in the box.

During an injury-riddled fall he finished the season fifth in the league with nine goals.

Sophomore left winger Parker Sturgeon (Bartlesville, Ok / Bartlesville HS) blistered a shot the Rams’ keeper handled well.

Sophomore goalie Cesar Galvan (Dallas, Tx / Lovejoy HS) kept SAGU in the game several good saves, including one when he made the stop on a one-on-one breakaway. The Rams fired one long laser that he was able to deflect over the crossbar.

“I think the guys played well overall,” Vazquez added. “We created chances that, once again, we didn't put away.”

“The guys looked and played like they still wanted to play. We will regroup and start preparing for next year.” he concluded.

SAGU’s 20-man roster has 16 freshmen and sophomores.

A season review will be posted next week.

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.