RAMS FALL IN SEMIFINALS
November 7, 2008

Box Score

FORT WORTH, TX:  The Texas Wesleyan University men’s soccer team (8-6-2) saw its season come to a close with a 2-0 loss to top-seeded UT-Brownsville (14-4) in Red River Athletic Conference semifinal action on Friday.

The two teams played to a scoreless tie through the first period.  The Scorpions struck quickly in the second half.  Juan Nava scored off an assist from Steve Howard in the 47th minute.  In the 55th minute Draion McNain scored off a pass from Fernando Mendoza to make it 2-0.

The Rams played a man down after one of their players was sent off in the 59th minute.  The game took a bizarre turn when UT-Brownsville head coach, Dan Balaguero was ejected in the 67th minute.  Balaguera came onto the field during a stoppage to check on an injured player, but was given a red card without speaking a word before he could reach his player.

The Rams numbers dwindled to nine men after a second player was ejected, this time for a second yellow card, in the 78th minute.

 “The referee was much too involved on both sides,” commented head coach Josh Gibbs.  “It really took away from what the players were doing on the field and what might have been a pretty good game.”  Gibbs went on to say, “Hats off to Brownsville.  They deserve to be in the final.  They are very good team that really came to play today.

“Despite the distractions caused by the referee, our guys played to the bitter end with nine guys.  I was particularly happy with how well our senior, Christian [Villasenor]played.  He had a great career here, and I am honored to have coached him.”

Villasenor finished his career with a Texas Wesleyan career records for goals scored, 47, and points, 101.