Box Score While the Wayland Baptist football team was winning its first game in 72 years Saturday afternoon, the Pioneer men's soccer team was in Abilene creating a bit of its own history. The squad's 2-1 victory over McMurry University not only gave WBU a 5-0 record to start the season, but also their first win ever over an NCAA Division II school.
Wayland second-year head coach
Jamath Shoffner said he was very proud of how his squad stacked up against such a tough, physical McMurry team.
"It was raining most of the time and was a really physical game," he said. "We came out a little slow but Javier (Parry) scored our first goal with 28 or 30 seconds left in the first half. McMurry is really big, strong and physical, and so we had to match our physicality with them. It's a tough place to play."
After Parry's goal gave the Pioneers the lead going into halftime, the War Hawks (1-4) tied it up just a few minutes into the second half on a header from Jacob Howdeshell. Just 15 minutes later, however, Wayland's
Lamin Sawaneh scored his first goal of the season on an assist from
Miguel Teos.
"Lamin came in as a sub and was able to really make an impact," Shoffner said of the senior from Atlanta. "He found himself about 12 yards out and Miguel sent a good pass to him. He stayed calm and did a great job finishing it off. He worked hard today and really deserved that goal."
The Pioneers hit the road Wednesday to take on Eastern New Mexico University in Portales at 4:30 p.m., followed by a home matchup at 2 p.m. Sunday against Incarnate Word University from San Antonio, which is traditionally a top-10 Division II program.
"I think the biggest thing for us about this game was that when you go on the road and win against a D-II school, especially in these conditions, it gives us confidence going forward," Shoffner said. "ENMU is always a good school, and Incarnate Word may be a little down this year (from past seasons), but they are still very good. This coming week is going to be our most challenging week so far."
