The University of Dallas men’s soccer team split their two road games this past weekend with a win at Schreiner University and a loss at Trinity University.
Friday’s match against Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) opponent Schreiner University ended in double overtime. Dallas pulled out a 3-2 victory, with senior defender Eric Haigh scoring the winning goal.
“At the end of the day to get three points was the goal, and that’s what we did,” said Head Coach David Hoffmann.
Sophomore midfielder Chase Reynolds opened the scoring with two goals twenty minutes apart to put the Crusaders up 2-0 in the first half. Schreiner came back in the first half with two goals of their own, but neither side found the back of the net until Haigh’s goal in the second overtime period.
“[Reynolds] stood out and created a lot of opportunities,” Hoffmann said. “It was one of his better games of the year.”
Reynolds, senior midfielder Andrew Ciancone, and freshman midfielder Jose Martinez each recorded assists in the match, and sophomore goalkeeper Sean Carlin saved three of Schreiner’s five shots on goal.
Dallas is now 4-0 in their last four matches against Schreiner. Hoffmann reports that the victory also guarantees the Crusaders a spot in the SCAC tournament.
After defeating Trinity University at home just weeks ago, UD headed to San Antonio to face the Tigers, now ranked 6th in the country in Division III Soccer.
“They’re very talented and very resource[ful]. I think the boys had a lot of stuff stacked against them with a back to back travel weekend,” Hoffmann said. “At the end of the day, it is what it is.”
Dallas failed to score in the match, losing by a score of 3-0. Reynolds led the Crusaders with three shots on goal, and Carlin managed to save five of the eight shots on goal. The two sides combined for 36 fouls for the day.
“It’s a good lesson for us, and we can figure out what went wrong tactically,” Carlin said. “Also it gives us a better incentive to beat them next time we play them.”
UD now holds a 7-4 overall record and a 6-3 record against SCAC opponents.
Men’s soccer will host three consecutive home matches beginning with matches against Centenary College on Oct. 16 and Texas Lutheran University on Oct. 19. Both matches are set to begin at 5:00 pm. The Crusaders play their final regular season home game on Oct. 21 against Southwestern University at noon.
