ABILENE, Texas - Junior Rafael Lara got the Homecoming Weekend off on the right foot for the McMurry University men's soccer team, scoring the match-winning goal in the 89th minute versus Louisiana College, 1-0.  Lara's blast gave the War Hawks (5-4-1, 2-2-1 ASC) the American Southwest Conference win over the Wildcats (1-8, 1-5 ASC).
 
For the bulk of the evening, however, it appeared as though McM might be headed for a second-straight overtime match in a scoreless draw.  Just last Saturday, the War Hawks played to a 0-0 tie in double overtime at UT-Tyler.
 
But that would not be the case this time.
 
At the 88:01 juncture of the contest, senior Matt Hernandez delivered a beautiful pass to Lara, who never broke stride as he slammed the ball past the stork-like reach of 6-foot-6 Louisiana College goalie Nathan Gautreaux for the match winner.
 
The goal was Lara's third of the young season.
 
McMurry was dominating in the offensive half, but had nothing to show for it until Lara's shot.  As a team, the War Hawks had a commanding 25-3 advantage in shot attempts, with the Wildcats not even registering an attempt until midway through the second half.  McM had seven shots on goal, while LC had one, which was saved by McMurry goalkeeper Alex Chavez.
 
Jesus Sanchez led McM with five shot attempts.  Hernandez and Josh Erwin each took three tries, while Lara, Aaron Webb, Javi Mejia, Saul Solorazano and Abram Mata each added two shots.
 
The War Hawks will next be in action on Saturday (7:30 p.m.) at home versus Belhaven University.