Centenary Stuns Dallas 2-1 on Friday

Centenary Stuns Dallas 2-1 on Friday

IRVING, Texas – The University of Dallas men's soccer team was stunned 2-1 by Centenary College on its home turf on a wet and misty night under the lights. Dallas took a one goal lead into halftime. UD had a chance to add an insurance goal with a Penalty Kick (PK) in the 70th minute, but it missed high. The momentum shifted to the Gents side after that miss. Wil Escobar tied up the game 10 minutes later after a pass from the UD keeper was taken control of by Escobar and he was able to covert the goal with the keeper out of position. Two minutes later, Scott Halper found the eventual game-winning goal to push Centenary past Dallas.

Through most of the first half both defensive lines and keepers kept the game scoreless as both teams took eight shots in the period. The contest looked to be heading into a scoreless tie at the halftime break until Dallas found some space in the attacking third with seven minutes left. Jose Martinez (Tegucigalpa, Honduras) dribbled the ball in the middle of the field and made a perfect pass up ahead to Chima Ogueri (Garland, Texas) who found space and struck the ball past the goalie to put UD up 1-0 heading into halftime.

In the second half, both teams took four shots but could not find the back of the net. At the 69:37 mark, UD had an opportunity to add an insurance goal. Chase Reynolds (Southlake, Texas) took the shot, but missed high. Each team took a shot in the next minute, but could not find the breakthrough. After the Crusaders goalie switch Escobar cut off a short pass from the Dallas keeper and was able to collect himself and find the back of the goal with the UD defense out of position to tie up the contest. Two minutes later Greg Petreas crossed a ball into the middle of the Dallas box, which found Halper who struck the ball past the Dallas goalie to give the Gents its first lead of the game at the 84:27 mark. UD did not give up as time ticked down as Reynolds and Ogeuri had two shots on frame, but the Gents defense held strong and kept the ball out of the net. The Gents notched their first win in Irving since joining the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) in 2012.    

Reynolds led Dallas with four shots, placing one on frame. Nat Kajiwara (Southlake, Texas) followed right behind his teammate with three shots with two of them on goal. Caleb Strange (Argyle, Texas) played 79:28 minutes in goal for UD making five saves and allowing zero goals. Sean Carlin (Puyallup, Wash.) came into play the final 9:57 minutes of the game.

Wil Escobar and Nick Garcia led the Gents with three shots each. Greg Petreas assisted on the game-winning goal. Centenary edged Dallas 16-15 in total shots and won the corner kicks battle 7-2.


UP NEXT

Dallas will celebrate Senior Day on Sunday when the University of St. Thomas (TX) comes to town. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. following the women's match.