October 15, 2024
Waxahachie, TX – The Nelson University Lions men's soccer team took on cross-town rivals Texas Wesleyan University in a dramatic Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) showdown Tuesday evening at the Lions Athletic Complex. In front of a passionate crowd of 104, the Lions fought valiantly, producing an exciting 2-2 draw against a formidable Rams squad.
Lions Review
The Lions were eager to make a statement in this high-stakes matchup. After a quiet first half, where both teams struggled to find the back of the net, the game sprang to life in the second half with a flurry of goals.
Nelson University took the lead in the 67th minute, when Nathanael Zozaya found the back of the net with a calm, composed finish, assisted by Angel Cruz. Just minutes later, the Lions extended their advantage to 2-0. Cruz, having already set up the first goal, got on the scoresheet himself after a brilliant assist from John Garcia.
However, Texas Wesleyan wasn't ready to back down. The Rams responded immediately, pulling one back through Daniel Jimenez, who slotted home in the 71st minute after a clever assist from Francisco Navarrete. Just seven minutes later, Texas Wesleyan completed their comeback when Nathaniel Neang struck an equalizer, assisted by Chandler Brookins.
Despite the late rally from the Rams, the Lions stood firm, with goalkeeper David Beltran making three crucial saves to ensure Nelson University earned a hard-fought point in the 2-2 draw.
Key Stats
Shots: Nelson University dominated with 16 total shots, six of them on target, while Texas Wesleyan managed eight, with five on goal.
Corner Kicks: The Lions outpaced the Rams with four corners compared to Texas Wesleyan's three.
What's Next?
The Nelson University Lions, now 5-2-7 on the season, will look to build on this result as they gear up for another crucial SAC matchup. They'll face John Brown University on Saturday, October 19th, at 5:00 PM in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, aiming to secure more conference points as the season intensifies.
Nelson University (formerly SAGU) is a private Christian university, established in 1927 by P.C. Nelson. The University is located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas, and offers more than 70 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus or online. For more information, visit www.nelson.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-SAGU.
