ABILENE, Texas - After a pre-match delay and intermittent rain, McMurry Men's Soccer fell to a tight 1-0 conference win by Mary Hardin-Baylor at Wilford Moore Stadium on Thursday.
The War Hawks generated early chances midway through the first half, testing the opposing keeper with back-to-back shots on target from
Carlos Guerra and
Tarik Kesetovic in the 20th minute. McMurry gained a man advantage in the 32nd minute when the Crusaders were issued a straight red card for serious foul play.
Goalkeeper
Enrique Cabello kept McMurry level through the break, racking up five first-half saves as the teams entered halftime scoreless.
Alexis Aguinaga added another dangerous attempt on frame for McMurry in the 43rd minute.
The physical, rain-slicked battle remained locked in a scoreless draw well into the second half behind Cabello, who stopped another five shots in the final 45 minutes. The Crusaders broke through in the 78th minute when Mary Hardin-Baylor converted a penalty kick after a foul in the box.
McMurry pushed for an equalizer down the stretch, with
Justyn Judie putting a strike on frame in the 83rd minute, but it was turned away.
Mary Hardin-Baylor finished with a 22-4 edge in total shots, but Cabello anchored the War Hawk defense with a standout 10-save performance.
All four McMurry shots were on target, with Guerra, Kesetovic, Aguinaga, and Judie each tallying a shot on goal.
The War Hawks return to Wilford Moore Stadium on Saturday, October 17th, to host East Texas Baptist at 7:30 p.m.
