Pioneers open with shutout win

Box Score (Wayland later forfeited.)

With a new offense and new keeper, the Wayland Baptist men's soccer team didn't miss a beat as the 24th-ranked Pioneers opened the 2017 season with a 4-0 shutout victory over Hardin-Simmons on Saturday evening at Hilliard Field.

"I'm definitely happy about the win. It's always good to start with a win," WBU coach Cristian Ospina said.

Wayland got its goals from four different players: returners James Quinn and Alex Castillo and newcomers Cooper Gaypia and James Westfield. Four different Pioneers also recorded assists: veteran Ross Brown and newcomers Nick Ramos, Luis Morin and Lochlan Reus.

"I'm happy a lot of players had playing time. Everybody who came in did a good job," Ospina said.
 
Quinn tallied the first goal just 4 minutes, 36 seconds into the season. Gaypia struck less than eight minutes later and Castillo made it 3-0 with just over two minutes left before halftime. Westfield finished off the scoring less than 10 minutes into the second half.

The Pioneers controlled the ball most of the match.

"We moved the ball well," Ospina said.

WBU's possession-control offense helped out new goalkeeper Ryan Montgomery, a senior who began training in goal only a few days earlier.

"I'm really proud of Ryan for stepping in goal and helping us," Ospina said. "The defense played very well. We had possession of the ball most of the game."

The coach said he issued a couple of challenges to his team, one of which was to pitch a shutout.

"We wanted to keep a clean sheet, and the guys followed through and got the job done."

The Cowboys managed just one shot on goal against WBU's tight defense. Twelve different Pioneers fired 25 shots, 10 of which were on target. Cooper Gaypia tallied six shots, half of which were on-goal.

The Pioneers now have six days off before hosting NCAA Division II Texas-Permian Basin at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1. Two days later they entertain Paul Quinn at 2 p.m. Sept. 3. After that Wayland embarks on a four-game road swing which leads into the start of Sooner Athletic Conference play.

"Every opponent is going to get tougher and tougher. We need to concentrate on the next game. UTPB will be a good challenge for us," Ospina said.

"We still have to improve. Every day we get a little bit better. That's the idea."