Box Score WAXAHACHIE – When the season started back in late August,
Cristhian Ospina doesn't mind admitting he was a little skeptical about his team's chances of repeating as Sooner Athletic Conference men's soccer champions.
"We only had eight returners and 20 new guys. It was supposed to be a rebuilding year," Ospina said.
So much for that notion.
With a 3-0 win over Southwestern Assemblies of God University, the 23
rd-ranked Pioneers on Monday afternoon clinched their second straight conference championship, securing the top seed and home-field advantage throughout the upcoming SAC Tournament.
Wayland wrapped up the regular-season with a 14-2-1 record, including 8-1-1 in the conference, a half-game ahead of No. 24 Southwestern Christian (14-4, 8-2), a team the Pioneers defeated, 3-1, two weeks ago.
While far from over, Ospina said the season thus far has been a pleasure.
"I really enjoy coaching this team. They are really mature and are no trouble off the field," he said. "It wasn't easy in the beginning. We started really, really slow. It took some time for them to adapt to us as coaches and for us as coaches to adapt to them. Once they got it, they've been doing really well.
"They've done a good job trusting each other."
Two days after defeating Texas Wesleyan in Fort Worth, 4-1, the Pioneers had little trouble against last-place SAGU (1-13-3, 0-9-1).
Just 10 minutes in, James Quinn continued his recent scoring frenzy, putting in a penalty kick goal for his fourth goal in three outings.
About eight minutes later, James Westfield connected after a beautiful pass across the front of the box from Quinn. It was Westfield's team-best ninth goal of the season and fifth in four matches.
Before the first half ended, Ricardo Ramos made it 3-zip with his seventh goal, assisted by Luis Almedia.
"We wanted to get out there and take care of business early, and that's what they did," Ospina said. "We scored three early goals and took care of the game in the first half. We wanted to make it easier on ourselves. That way we (coaches) don't have to stress that much on the sidelines."
Keeper Ziggy Carmejo was able to take a seat at halftime in place of Hector Haros as the two combined for Wayland's ninth shutout.
"Everybody got to play, so that was good," Ospina said.
The Pioneers will be looking to get back to the NAIA National Tournament after making their first-ever appearance last year when play in the eight-team conference tourney gets under way Thursday. Wayland, which will host as long as the Pioneers keep winning, will entertain the No. 8 seed in the first round.
WBU's opponent won't be known until the conclusion of four matches Tuesday, although it appears to be either Bacone (8-7-1, 3-5-1) or Central Christian (10-6-1, 3-5-1). Bacone plays at St. Gregory's (4-10-2, 2-7) to end the regular season while Central Christian hosts Oklahoma City (13-3-1, 6-2-1). If Bacone and Central Christian both lose, the Pioneers would take on Bacone, which defeated Central Christian on Saturday, 1-0 in overtime.
Ospina said he hopes to get some of his injured players back this week.
"We're ready and getting healthy and appear to be peaking at the right time," the coach said, adding that the Pioneers have done an excellent job all season overcoming roster shortfalls. "Everybody on the team has played their role. Guys have stepped up from the bench."
Ospina also praised his assistant coach: assistant
Miguel Teos and graduate assistants
Dean Johnson and John-Ramses Thomas.
"Dean does a really good job of recruiting. We get good soccer players who are a good fit for our school. I'm proud of Dean, John and Miguel. From practicing and preparing, those guys put in a great amount of work and care so much about the program.
"I'm grateful to all of them."
