ABILENE, Texas – After a thrilling overtime victory Saturday night over Hardin-Simmons University to propel them into the American Southwest Conference Tournament, McMurry University Men's Soccer had a much easier time dispatching Southwestern Adventist University Sunday at Wilford Moore Stadium, 8-0.
After a slow start, the War Hawks got on the scoreboard in the ninth minute when junior midfielder Jesus Gil finished a long pass from freshman midfielder Andres Martinez by beating the Knights' goalkeeper one-on-one.
Fifteen minutes later, the War Hawks would find their groove as senior forward Rafael Lara scored his team-leading eighth goal of the season. McMurry would score four goals in the final 15 minutes of the half.
Junior midfielder Miguel Esteban Jr. scored a pair of goals during the late first half flurry, and sophomore James Alexander and senior midfielder Abraham Martinez scored their first goals of the season.
Swapping out his goalkeeper uniform for that of one in the field, sophomore goalkeeper Aidan Keane turned into a forward and scored his first career goal in the 55th minute. Freshman midfielder Jorge Garcia got in on the action as well, converting a penalty kick in the final minute of regulation.
The War Hawks outshot the Knights 26-3 on the afternoon, and 16-0 on shots on goal. The strong defensive effort prevented junior goalkeeper Francisco Avilez from recording a save in his first career shutout.
McMurry travels to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Tuesday at 8 p.m. for their quarterfinal matchup in the ASC Tournament.
