Men's Soccer Lose Hard Fought Match with Austin in Conference Opener

September 30, 2023

IRVING, Texas - The University of Dallas men's soccer team lost their first conference match of the season against Austin College 2-1 on Saturday.  They fall to 1-6-2 on the year.

It was clear early on that there wasn't going to be much separating these two teams.  Both teams offensive efforts were largely futile, as neither side hit the target with the exception of their goals in the first half.  Jaden Smith had one of the best opportunities of the match barely four minutes in; a beautifully placed free kick by Antonio Gachiniero (pictured) found Smith's head as he rose above his defender on the back post, but he couldn't get on top of the ball and his header sailed just over the crossbar.

Austin opened the scoring in the 13th minute, and having not registered a shot in the match to that point.  They opened the scoring with a penalty kick, as Uday Agarwal was penalized for brining down Louis Catchpole in the box.  Catchpole took the kick himself and buried it in the back of the net to give the Roos a 1-0 lead.

It didn't take long for the Crusaders to respond, as the game was level not even seven minutes later.  Jaden Languilli crossed it in from the right wing and found the head of Evan Corsiglia just inside the box towards the near post, and Corsiglia brilliantly floated the ball over the keeper and into the side netting on the back post for the first goal of his UD career.

The rest of the first half was scoreless, and the teams went into halftime tied 1-1.

Play was still even for much of the second half, though Austin were more on the front foot in the early stages of the period.  They got their reward in the 62nd minute after a chaotic scramble in front of goal.  Agarwal did well to save the first effort by Austin's Jacob Tekle, but the Crusaders couldn't clear the ball and Catchpole managed to swoop in during the mayhem and poke the ball into the net to put Austin up 2-1.

Dallas had a pair of shots the remainder of the half, but failed to test the keeper, as Austin held on for the win.

Up Next

The Crusaders are on the road for their next two conference games.  They will face Trinity next on Friday, Oct. 8 at 8:00 pm in San Antonio.