Texas A&M University-San Antonio’s Jaguars faced the Paul Quinn College Tigers Thursday in a high-energy and physical matchup that ended with a double-overtime, 1-1 draw. The Jags were looking to bounce back from their two-game losing streak, while the Tigers had entered the contest-winning four of their last five games.
Paul Quinn took over the momentum early in the match, controlling the time of possession, while also putting pressure on the Jags’ defense.
In the 37th minute, Paul Quinn’s freshman Jerret Williams opened the game by scoring a goal just inside the box.
Going into the half, Paul Quinn was leading 1-0. A&M-San Antonio had contained the Paul Quinn offense for the majority of the half until the late goal. It had been a lopsided affair when it came to total shots in the first half with Paul Quinn having a 12-3 advantage.
Coming out the half A&M-San Antonio tried a different game plan to see if it could spark a run. With early substitutions by the A&M-San Antonio coaching staff, it jumpstarted a momentum shift that allowed the game to be up for grabs.
In the 74th minute, the Jags’ freshman Chris Patterson, tied the game 1-1.
Physicality was the theme of the second half. Both teams tried to win key possession battles near midfield. Eighteen of the 27 total fouls occurred in the second half including both OTs.
By the end of the second half, the game was still 1-1.
Freshman goalie Camron Colwell helped keep the game in reach for A&M-San Antonio by having two key saves in the 96th minute of OT. Colwell ended up having a game-high six saves on the day.
Still 1-1 at the end of the first OT, the last 10 minutes were crucial for both teams.
Both teams came out firing from the start, and A&M-San Antonio and Paul Quinn were looking to end the game within the first four minutes of 2OT. Each team with two early shots, one being a shot on goal from the Jags’ freshman Chris Patterson which was saved the Paul Quinn’s sophomore goalie Roberto Dominguez.
Neither team was going to let up easy shots. Many fouls were committed late to prevent any shot-on-goal attempts. The most notable was Paul Quinn’s junior Michael Lopez receiving a red card in the last minute of the period to stop the late push by the A&M-San Antonio offense.
With seconds left, the Jagshad one last opportunity with a freekick that was set right outside the box. The cross by freshman Jaden Pharris missed wide.
Final score 1-1 2OT.
Koen Beard, a junior midfielder for A&M-San Antonio, explained postgame how the team battled back from the 1-0 deficit early on.
“It was a build-up from last week’s practices,” Beard said. “We were working on mentality and our focus as a team…we’re coming into this as a first-year program…we’re building our character and who we are…and going into this game we knew no matter what happens we can’t put our heads down.”
First-year head coach, Kyle Beard, praised his players postgame, describing how his young team was able to fight through adversity.
“They stayed positive and they stayed focused…we missed so many chances but I told them if you never have those chances then you aren’t a good team,” Beard said. “We are evolving…it is a matter of these young guys gaining confidence.”
The next home game will be Oct. 27 against Schreiner.
For more information and news about A&M-San Antonio’s men’s soccer teams, visit their social media accounts on Instagram @tamusa_menssoccer or follow the teams’ coverage @tamusasports on all other media sources.
