RRAC CHAMPS FALL IN REGIONAL:

#3 SNU STORMS PAST RAMS
November 11, 2005

BETHANY, OK:  The Texas Wesleyan men’s soccer team (11-7-1) traveled to Bethany, OK, today to take on the nation’s third ranked team, Southern Nazarene University (16-1-1), in the Region VI Semifinals.  Unfortunately an outstanding season that saw the Rams win their first Red River Athletic Conference Championship came to an end as the Crimson Storm came out with a 4-0 win.

Southern Nazarene’s Daniel Agina converted on a penalty kick in the 21st minute for the game’s first goal.  The Crimson Storm would lead 2-0 at the half after Jeffery Darkwah headed Daniel McCain’s throw-in into the net in the 37th minute.  SNU added an insurance goal in the 63rd minute when Dominique Nayaga scored off an assist from Agina.  McCain made the score 4-0 when he found the net in the closing minutes of the contest.

SNU out shot Texas Wesleyan 23-9, but 8 saves from junior goalkeeper Ryan Hansen kept the Rams within striking distance.

“The boys fought hard and gave every thing they could, and that’s all I can ask,” said Head Coach Steve Jones.  “We missed a couple of opportunities early.  Our backs were against the wall, and if we could have put one in early, it might have been different.  But, you have to credit Southern Nazarene.  They are a very good team.  The pressure was on them to perform against a team with nothing to lose, and they did that.”

Coach Jones went on to praise his team for an outstanding season.  “I told the seniors and the team that we set a standard that every team from now on has to uphold.  We have raised the bar and set a new standard for the years to come.  I couldn’t be more proud of this team.  We get to send the seniors away with a conference championship and that’s something to be proud of, something to remember, and something to build on.”