ENMU soccer teams fall in OT at home

Staff report

Eastern New Mexico University’s soccer teams played rugged opposition tough on Sunday at the ENMU pitch, but both came away with nothing to show for it but overtime losses.

The men dropped a 1-0 decision to Midwestern State, the top-ranked team in NCAA Division II, on a goal in the 95th minute of play. The women, meantime, lost to Texas Woman’s 2-1 in two overtimes in a Lone Star Conference matchup.

Senior midfielder Juan Farres got the only goal of the game for MSU (9-0-1) about midway through the first overtime period. ENMU sophomore goalkeeper James Gutierrez came out to challenge the ball, but senior forward Albert Rodriguez dropped a pass to Farres on the left side for the game-winner.

The Greyhounds (3-5-2), who dropped their fifth match in a row, held the Mustangs to a season-low 11 shots, including just four on goal. Meantime, the Greyhounds had just three shots and none on goal against Mustangs sophomore keeper Richard Goss.

It was just the second time this season that the Mustangs have been held to one goal.

In the women’s matchup, junior forward Nancy Chavez scored in the seventh minute of the second OT to lift TWU (6-4-2, 2-2-1 LSC) to the victory.

In another contest where shots were at a premium, the Pioneers outshot the Greyhounds overall 7-6, with only four shots on goal. ENMU senior keeper Cristina Escobedo had the only save of the match, coming against TWU’s Rachel Rupp in the first half.

The Hounds broke the scoring ice in the 74th minute when sophomore midfielder Morgan Fairbanks scored her second goal of the season, taking a pass on the right side from senior midfielder Danielle Caro and beating keeper Ariana Morrison.

It was the Hounds' first goal during their current four-match losing streak, which began with a 2-0 setback at Midwestern State on Oct. 2.

Senior forward Natalie Diaz tied it about 8 1/2 minutes later for TWU, punching in a rebound shot past Escobedo and into the right corner of the net.

Diaz then assisted on the winning goal, sending a crossing pass to Diaz, who managed to get it past Escobedo.

ENMU squads return to action on Tuesday at home with a doubleheader against Texas-Permian Basin, beginning with the women’s match at 2 p.m.