ABILENE, Texas – An eventful Homecoming Saturday at McMurry University ended with a late-night men's soccer match versus Sul Ross State, as the War Hawks capped the day in dramatic fashion with a 3-2 win at Wilford Moore Stadium.
Saturday was also McMurry's Senior Night, as Christian Bryant, Beckham Guest and Andres Martinez were honored with a special pregame ceremony. Martinez went on to be the hero, scoring the game-winning penalty kick goal in the closing moments.
This match brought many storylines with it, but perhaps none more prominent than the fight for postseason contention in the American Southwest Conference. McMurry (4-10, 2-5 ASC) put itself in great position by winning Saturday, moving back into eighth place. The top eight teams make the tournament at the end of the regular season – which ends Oct. 29.
The win also gave McMurry Athletics a full sweep of wins during Homecoming Saturday – including cross county, volleyball, football and women's soccer earning victories earlier in the day.
The War Hawks came out motivated under first year head coach Marquis Muse – who joined McMurry from Sul Ross State this offseason – and scored two early goals to take the lead. But the rival Lobos (3-7, 0-6) did not go away easy, later tying the game.
It all started in the 24th minute as freshman Danny Chavez split through two defenders near the right boundary with a perfect pass to sophomore Santiago Nunez. Nunez raced into the box and finished the lead pass for the score.
Later in the first half, McMurry attempted a corner and Sul Ross State cleared it with a header, but Andres Martinez tracked it down and kicked it backwards over his head towards the goal. There to field the bounce was freshman Dylan Caudle, who headed it over the keeper attached to his hip and into the net.
Just when it seems things were in control late in the game, the Lobos stole momentum in a matter of minutes.
Jesus Monreal's score in the 78th minute made it 2-1, but then things got even more interesting when a foul in the box allowed Sul Ross a game-tying penalty kick opportunity in the 83rd minute. Pablo Herrera went right as the keeper dove to his left, tying things up.
Less than two minutes later, McMurry hit its own stroke of luck as a free kick towards the goal turned into a Sul Ross foul in the box. This summoned Martinez to the penalty kick area, and the senior buried it into the low right corner for the go-ahead goal.
The Lobos had a few chances to tie it as time ticked down, but the McMurry defense held strong and survived for the win. Sul Ross had a 16-9 shot advantage, including nine in the second half in its rally, but weren't able to find the target most times. Both teams had six shots on goal and three corners each.
Freshman goalkeeper Orion Patterson finished with four saves for McMurry, all in the first half. Martinez led the team offensively with three shots – all on target – while Santiago Nunez added two shots and scored on one. Chavez, Kevin Serrano and Herbie Martinez also had one shot apiece.
McMurry has three games remaining in its race to the postseason, starting with a match at conference leader Mary Hardin-Baylor (9-3, 7-0 ASC) on Thursday, Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m.
