RAMS STYMIED IN QUARTERFINALS
November 5, 2009

FORT WORTH, TX:  The Texas Wesleyan University men’s soccer team (11-8) suffered a season ending 2-1 loss to third seeded Our Lady of the Lake University (11-6) in quarterfinal action at the Red River Athletic Conference Tournament on Thursday.

Thursday’s game got started on the wrong foot, when OLLU’s Esteban Rocha brought a ball to his feet with an apparent handball.  The referee called “no intent,” and Rocha immediately found Tomas Flores for the game’s first goal.

After trailing 1-0 at the break, Texas Wesleyan’s Ricardo Aguilera found the net to  level the match at one.  An inspired second half from the Rams went for not when goalkeeper Toby Rochau was forced to foul a streaking Octavio Herrera in the box.  Flores converted the ensuing penalty kick for the eventual game-winner.

The Saints out shot the Rams 20-14 in the match and led 9-4 in shots on goal.  Rochau kept the Rams alive with seven saves in the senior's final collegiate contest.

At 11-8 overall the Rams were just three wins shy of the school record of 14 set in 1989.  The eleven wins were their highest total since 2005.  The team also enjoyed the program’s best ever start at 6-0.

Our Lady of the Lake advanced to play second seeded Huston-Tillotson on Friday.  In other quarterfinal action, #5 Texas College defeated #4 Northwood, 2-0.  The Steers advanced to play top seeded UT-Brownsville in Friday's semifinal round.