Photo: Sawyer Young (#8) had two assists in a match for the first time in his collegiate career on Sunday. Photo by Russell Marwitz/True To The Cru/russellmarwitz.com
CONWAY, Ark.-It took 77 minutes for UMHB men’s soccer to find its first goal in Friday’s season opener, but seven minutes into Sunday’s duel against Hendrix College, the Crusaders had a 1-0 lead.Â
That early score, along with exceptional defensive effort, led to a 2-0 victory for UMHB men’s soccer, capping a trip to Arkansas with its first win of 2023. UMHB is now 1-0-1 overall.
Keven Daniel was credited with the early goal, as the junior sent a header into the back of the net in the seventh minute. Daniel received the ball after a corner kick from Sawyer Young, who was credited with the assist. As the ball approached, Daniel leapt above a pair of Hendrix players, and made first contact with the corner kick, putting UMHB in front, 1-0.
The score held firm for the next 75 minutes, with both sides exchanging shots, but neither able to get the ball past the opposing goalkeeper. Both back lines were strong for much of the contest, and both of UMHB’s goals came off corner kicks.
In the 83rd minute, Ethan Dacaret scored on a header after another well-placed corner kick from Young. The 2-0 lead was preserved for the final seven minutes, as Hendrix had just one shot in the final 25 minutes of play. That lone attempt came from Parker Briggs with 45 seconds remaining, and was saved by UMHB goalkeeper Ethan Hilliard.
Editor’s Note: Dacaret was credited with both goals in the match according to the live stats from Hendrix College. However, we confirmed that it was Keven Daniel who was responsible for the first goal of the match, and Dacaret was correctly credited with the second goal.
Match Notes
- Young had eight assists in his collegiate career entering the contest, but it marked the first time that the junior midfielder tallied multiple assists in a single match.
- Dating back to last season, UMHB has now outscored its opponent by at least two goals in each of the Cru’s last seven wins.
- That streak began in a 3-0 road win at UT-Dallas on Oct. 13, 2022.
- UMHB tallied 10 shots in the win, marking the third time in the last four matches that The Cru has recorded 10 or more shots.
Up Next
UMHB prepares to host a pair of SCAC opponents this coming weekend in Belton. Friday will see The Cru face Texas Lutheran at 7:30 p.m. before UMHB battles St. Thomas (TX) at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. Both TLU and St. Thomas are 2-0 to begin the season.
