PLAINVIEW, Texas — Wayland Baptist men's soccer used a dominant start and three first-half goals to secure a 4-2 victory over Nelson University on Saturday at J.V. Hilliard Field.
The victory moved the Pioneers to 2-3-3 overall and 2-0 in Sooner Athletic Conference play, while Nelson dropped to 3-5-1 overall and 0-2 in conference action. Wayland carried a 3-0 advantage into halftime before holding off a second-half push from the Lions.
Wayland wasted little time taking control of the match.
Baptiste Hervaud opened the scoring, finishing an opportunity assisted by Maximiliano Campos. The Pioneers quickly doubled their advantage when Evan Schumacher found the back of the net off an assist from Rivaldo Mitchell.
Schumacher struck again to complete Wayland's early offensive surge, this time with Campos providing the assist. The two goals gave Schumacher his first brace of the match, while Campos finished with two assists.
The Pioneers took the 3-0 advantage into halftime after controlling much of the opening period. Wayland outshot Nelson 10-5 in the first half and generated six corner kicks compared to two for the Lions.
Nelson responded after halftime and began applying pressure to the Wayland defense. Thyeim Shaw put the Lions on the board in the 67th minute, cutting the Pioneers' advantage to 3-1.
Wayland goalkeeper Drew Arehart helped preserve the advantage throughout the second half. Arehart stopped a Nelson penalty kick in the 60th minute and later denied another penalty attempt in the 81st minute. Nelson's Joao Delgado scored moments after the second save, however, trimming Wayland's lead to 3-2 and setting up a tense finish.
With Nelson pushing for an equalizer, the Pioneers put the match away in the final minute. Ariel Vallejo scored in the 90th minute to restore Wayland's two-goal advantage and seal the 4-2 victory.
Wayland and Nelson each finished with 13 shots, while the Pioneers placed eight attempts on goal. Wayland also held an 8-2 advantage in corner kicks. Arehart played all 90 minutes in goal and recorded eight saves.
"I thought we started the game really well," Head Coach Robert Ssejjemba said. "We were switched on from the start and disciplined in our shape. Our energy dropped off in the second half and we conceded two goals, but we managed to see the game through."
The victory keeps Wayland unbeaten through its first two Sooner Athletic Conference matches as the Pioneers continue their early conference schedule.
Wayland returns to action Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 4:30 p.m. when the Pioneers take on the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO).
