September 13, 2024
San Antonio, TX – In a thrilling afternoon encounter, the Nelson University Lions men's soccer team battled Texas A&M University-San Antonio to a 2-2 draw in a tightly contested match on Friday. The Lions, known for their resilience, once again demonstrated their fighting spirit, coming back from a two-goal deficit to level the score in the second half.
Lions Review
The match began with Texas A&M San Antonio roaring into an early lead, as Jacob Olivares opened the scoring at just 2:37, with a precise assist from Christian Guerrero. Minutes later, the Jaguars struck again when Ronald Aguilar found the back of the net at 5:23, leaving the Lions stunned in the opening phase of the game. Despite these early setbacks, Nelson University's defense tightened up, preventing further damage in the first half.
After regrouping during halftime and a fiery speech from Head Coach Cesar España, the Lions came out with renewed vigor in the second half. Their persistence paid off when Teddy Nkamanyi, assisted by Ethan Stewart, struck in the 56th minute, igniting hope for the Lions' comeback. The equalizer came shortly after at 78:40, with Jan Zapata finishing a perfectly threaded pass from Stewart to level the score. Stewart's impact and selflessness was undeniable as he notched two assists and was an instrumental force in the midfield.
The Lions pushed for a winner in the final minutes but couldn't break down Texas A&M's defense.
Key Stats
- Goals: Teddy Nkamanyi (56:57), Jan Zapata (78:40)
- Assists: Ethan Stewart (2 assists)
- Shots on Goal: Nelson University - 8, Texas A&M San Antonio - 6
- Saves: Nelson Goalkeeper David Calvete Beltran recorded 3 saves, showing great reflexes in key moments to keep the Lions in the match.
- The Lions ended the game with nine total shots, eight of which were on target, showing their attacking intent. Texas A&M San Antonio, however, managed more overall shots (14), but the Lions defense, led by players like Cecil Du Toit and Hines, held firm when it mattered most.
Next Up
The Nelson University Lions soccer team will take this momentum into their next game on Friday, September 20, where they will face the University of Dallas in Irving, Texas. The Lions will look to build on their unbeaten start to the season as they continue their march toward conference play. Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM.
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.
