ALVA, OK:  The Texas Wesleyan University men’s soccer team met a powerful Southern Nazarene team at Northwest Oklahoma State on Thursday.  The Crimson Storm entered the contest ranked at the top of Region VI and 4th in the latest NAIA national poll.

The Rams were coming off an impressive win over Texas A&M International last Saturday.  Texas Wesleyan defeated the Dustdevils 3-1 on Martin Field.

Texas Wesleyan held Southern Nazarene scoreless for 25 minutes.  With seven minutes remaining in the first half, Jason Reid was taken down with a hard tackle and had to leave the game.  In the closing minutes of the half, the Crimson Storm scored twice to take a comfortable 3-0 lead.

At halftime Head Coach Steve Jones challenged his team to win the second half.  “I reminded them that 45 minutes is plenty of times to score three goals,” Jones said.

In the second half, Texas Wesleyan came on strong.  Goalkeeper Thomas Hansen made a great save at the start of the half that held the margin to just three scores.  In the 81st minute John Kuethe found the net to bring the score to 3-1.  With under seven minutes to play, Reid, who had reentered the contest, found the net off a corner kick; however, a handball was called and the goal was not allowed.

The Rams did win the second half, but it was not enough as Southern Nazarene earned the 3-1 win to remain undefeated at 6-0-1.  Texas Wesleyan fell to an even 3-3 with the loss.

Coach Jones was pleased with his team’s performance.  “Our boys played with a lot of heart.  They had a lot of talent, but our heart and our work rate allowed us to play with a very strong team.  If we take that second half and make it a consistent ninety minutes, then we can play with anybody in the country.”

The Rams return to action on Saturday when they travel to Manhattan Christian College.  That contest is scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m. in Manhattan, KS.