Hounds pull out 2-1 win at LCU

Staff report

LUBBOCK — The Eastern New Mexico University men's soccer team picked up a 2-1 win over Lubbock Christian on Thursday afternoon.

“It was a great, hard fought game,” coach Paul Tate said. “The guys gave it their all and did their jobs today.”

Eastern’s Ryan McManus found the back of the net in the 88th minute to break the 1-1 tie and give the Greyhounds the victory. The win boosts ENMU's record to 6-7-4 overall and 4-6-3 in Heartland Conference action, while McManus’ scores give him a total of three on the season.

James Gutierrez made six saves between the pipes, while Ryan Sinclair and Raith Houle each picked up assists in the win. McManus opened the scoring in the 27th-minute on his second goal of the season.

Elijah Madzikatire notched the equalizer for LCU (4-11-2, 3-8-2 Heartland) just before halftime. It stayed that way until McManus got his second tally.

The Hounds finish the regular season on Saturday when they host rival West Texas A&M in a noon conference match at Greyhound Stadium.

West Texas A&M women 1, ENMU 0 (Wednesday) — Sophomore midfielder Khadisha Debesette headed in the only goal of the match off a corner kick to keep the Lady Buffs atop the Lone Star Conference standings at Greyhound Field.

“I thought we played well for 90 minutes,” said Hounds coach Omar Morales, who served on the staffs of both the WT men’s and women’s program during an eight-year stretch (2006-13) before coming to ENMU. “(The goal) was an unlucky break, but I’m proud of how (the Hounds) came out and competed tonight.”

ENMU (3-12-1, 2-9-1 LSC) nearly tied it just over a minute later, but goalkeeper Courtney Dippel made a diving save to the Lady Buffs (11-4-0, 9-2-0) off a shot by ENMU sophomore defender Amber Polizzi.

Dippel had four saves for WT as the Lady Buffs won their eighth match in a row, the program’s longest winning streak since 2008, while junior Marissa Torres notched five saves for ENMU. WT leads the all-time series with ENMU 14-6-1.

The Hounds conclude regular-season play, their conference slate and a four-match homestand with a 2 p.m. LSC contest today against Midwestern State at Greyhound Field.