Men’s soccer ends season with two overtime losses

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The University of Dallas men’s soccer team closed their season this past weekend with road games against Southwestern University and Texas Lutheran University (TLU). Both matches ended in a 2-1 overtime defeat for the Crusaders. Six out of seven of Dallas’ losses this season have been decided by one goal.

“I think in both cases we were unfortunate to come away with two losses,” said Head Coach David Hoffmann. “I felt [that] both games were very competitive and balanced in terms of play and chances.”

After defeating Southwestern at home just days before, UD traveled to Georgetown, Texas to face the Pirates on their home turf. With both teams held scoreless in the first half, junior forward Chima Ogueri scored the first goal of the match in the 62nd minute to give Dallas a 1-0 lead, but the Pirates equalized the score just six minutes later.

“As a team I felt like we played pretty well [and] possessed the ball really well,” said sophomore goalkeeper Sean Carlin. “We just had a few lapses defensively.”

Dallas outshot Southwestern 3-2 in the closing minutes of the half, but failed to score. The Pirates finally broke through in overtime, defeating the Crusaders 2-1.

Ogueri, senior midfielder Andrew Ciancone, and sophomore midfielder Brady McNamara led the Crusaders in shots, with 2 each. Carlin recorded three saves in the match.

UD then traveled to Seguin, Texas for their final game of the season against TLU.

Once again, each side failed to score in the first half. Texas Lutheran scored in the 78th minute, putting Dallas behind 1-0. A pass from junior Hunter Haugland found fellow midfielder Chase Reynolds ten yards from the net in the 85th minute. Reynolds’ shot found the back of the net, tying the game.

Neither squad could convert in the final minutes, forcing the match into overtime.

Reynolds led the Crusaders in shots with three. Haugland and sophomore midfielder Tomas De Petris followed with two apiece. Carlin managed three saves on the five shots on goal.

“It was nice to have two guys score a couple of really nice goals,” said Carlin.

The two overtime losses brings the Crusaders to a 7-6 conference record, and an 8-7 record overall.

“We have played an exceptionally tough schedule,” Hoffmann said. “A full 33% of our schedule has been regionally ranked this year.”

Dallas will once again travel to Southwestern University for the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Tournament, where they will hold the fifth seed. Dallas’ tournament play begins on Friday, Nov. 2 against fourth seed TLU.

“We are definitely worried about injuries, but everything from now on is free soccer,” said Carlin.

“I think health is an overall key,” said Hoffmann. “It is an extremely challenging tournament to win.”

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