HOBBS, N.M. – Wayland Baptist picked up its third straight win here Saturday, doubling up University of the Southwest, 4-2.
"It was not an easy game," said WBU coach
Robert Ssejjemba, in his fourth season at Wayland after coaching at USW.
The Pioneers (3-1-1) took a 2-0 lead on goals by
Daniel Ruiz in the fourth minute and
Luis Fernandez in the 32
nd.
"We had a strong first half, pressing high up the pitch and forcing turnovers," Ssejjemba said.
The Mustangs (0-3) matched Wayland's goals in the 53
rd and 70
th minute. Wayland, however, didn't panic and just over two minutes later regained the lead on a goal by
Luis Toro. Some 4½ minutes later, the Pioneers picked up an insurance goal by
Gabriel Paglioni.
"The second half USW came back a different team and we struggled dealing with their pressure," Ssejjemba said. "I thought the guys who came off the bench injected some much-needed energy, and we managed to restore our lead."
Leonardo Marini,
Santiago Hernandez, Santago Sanchez and
Daniel Ruiz were credited with assists for WBU.
Both teams scored on half the shots they took, with the Pioneers led by Ruiz with a match-high three offerings.
Adriano Coppolecchia, who notched shutouts in Wayland's last two wins, again earned the victory by spending all 90 minutes in goal.
Next for the Pioneers is a home match against Huston-Tillotson at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17.
