Men's Soccer Downed by Late Surge from Centenary

October 13, 2023

IRVING, Texas - The University of Dallas men's soccer team lost their conference match against Centenary College 3-1 on Friday, falling to 1-8-3 on the eyar and 0-3-1 in conference play.

Despite what the scoreline shows, it was difficult to separate the two sides for nearly the entire match.  Clayton Porto nearly got the game off to a thundering start, ripping a shot from nearly 30 yards out after winning the ball in his own half and taking it down field 40 yards, but his long-range effort sailed mere inches over the crossbar as the Gents avoided conceding a candidate for goal of the season.

After testing the keeper with a couple of decent chances, Antonio Gachiniero opened the scoring in the 28th minute after the Crusaders were awarded a penalty kick for a handball in the box.  The senior captain cooly slotted the spot kick into the net.

Though it was an even first half, the Crusaders had the slight edge in attacking chances as the back line held firm and frustrated Centenary's attackers to no end.  Dallas took a 1-0 advantage into halftime as a result.

In just one shining moment of what was a brilliant individual performance on the night, Sebastian Coleman nearly doubled the Crusaders lead in the first minute of the second half.  As he did all night, Coleman came marauding up the field from his base at left back, dribbling some 45 yards to just outside the box and curved a shot that seemed destined for the top corner.  But his shot sailed just wide of the right post for a Centenary goal kick.

Victor Salvo had another chance to make it 2-0 seven minuntes later with a shot inside the box, but with his weaker right foot he was unable to place it far enough away from the keeper who made a comfortable diving save to his right.

After nearly 20 minutes of futility in the second half, the Gents finally got themselves on the board with a goal in the 74th minute, and from there the game turned on a dime.  The wheels quickly came off for Dallas as Centenary went ahead 2-1 barely three minutes later, and then put the nail in the coffin with their third goal in the 87th minute.  

The second goal prompted the Gents to more or less park the bus, and the Crusaders could not pull themselves back as Centenary held on for the win.

Up Next

The Crusaders are back in action this Sunday, Oct. 15 against St. Thomas.  Kick-off against the Celts is scheduled for 2:30 pm.