RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros men's soccer team played to a scoreless draw Friday against the (RV) Lindenwood Lions, using a solid team effort to contain one of the top teams in the nation at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex.
UTRGV (0-5-1) controlled the pace of play in a first half that saw a stout defensive effort prevent the Lions from putting any shots on goal. The Vaqueros were consistent offensively and held steady in their attacking third for the middle portion of the half, putting four shots on goal in a span of roughly 15 minutes. Junior midfielder
Emiliano Abboud, junior forward
Mouhamed Pouye and redshirt sophomore
Malang Mandiang helped the Vaqueros keep the ball moving well and creating chances.
Lindenwood (7-0-1) picked up the offensive pressure in the final 10 minutes of the half but UTRGV's defense held strong. The match was scoreless at half with corners even at two apiece.
The Lions came out of the break hot and took three quick shots, putting two on goal. Senior goalkeeper
Alexis Gonzalez withstood the flurry, making a pair of saves in the 48
th and 49
th minutes, punching away the first shot and falling on the second. With the match moving faster and the intensity picking up, things got physical and the teams had to be sent to their benches after a brief scuffle on the pitch. Three yellow cards were issued on the play.
From there, the teams were equally aggressive as the energy ran high. The Vaqueros took five shots in a span of five minutes late in the second half as Pouye, Mandiang and freshman forward
Michael Chaves continued to spark the offensive attack. Freshman midfielder
Dylan Hernandez had a shot blocked in the 86
th minute as the battle rolled on.
With 1:30 remaining in the match, UTRGV was issued a red card. Lindenwood's penalty kick soared over the goal, drawing loud cheers from the Vaqueros faithful in the stands. Despite playing down a man, the Vaqueros made one final push as Chaves put a shot on goal with 20 seconds remaining, but Lindenwood's
Quinn Closson recorded his sixth save to keep the match a draw.
Chaves and Mandiang finished with three shots each and Gonzalez made two saves.
Up next for the Vaqueros is a match at Texas A&M International on Sept. 25 at 7 p.m.
Support UTRGV Men's Soccer |
Become a Fan on Facebook |
Follow us on Twitter |
Follow us on Instagram |
Follow us on YouTube
