Eastern notches resounding win, 3-1
First half goals topple St. Mary’s

Box score

PORTALES, N.M. — The Eastern New Mexico University men’s soccer team recorded a resounding 3-1 win over St. Mary’s University on Friday, Oct. 29 at the ENMU Soccer Field. The Greyhounds (6-11-2, 3-9-1 Southwest Soccer Conference) tallied three first-half goals en route to their second victory at home this season.

The Hounds got on the board just 2:45 into the contest, with Joey Ongaga (Fr., F, Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad HS) putting home his first collegiate goal. Ongaga brought the ball through the center, and dished to freshman midfielder Josh Roybal (Roswell, NM/Roswell HS). Roybal quickly returned the ball to Ongaga, who moved in and beat goalkeeper Steven Michael to the far side.

The Hounds increased their lead at 16:32, as sophomore forward Jonathan Holman (Rio Rancho, NM/Rio Rancho HS) notched his fifth goal of the season. Andrew Perez (Fr., M, San Angelo, TX/Lake View HS) put forward a through ball to Holman, who beat the defense and tipped the ball past a diving Michael for the goal, which ended up the game-winner.

The Rattlers (7-9-0 overall, 4-8-0 SSC) trimmed the lead to one goal at 24:56 off a corner taken by Stephen Kilpatrick. His pass went into the box, and Juan Diego Vidalon headed the ball home to the near side for his second goal of the year.

Eastern added the final tally of the contest at 38:30. Leif Craddock (So., GK, Amarillo, TX/West Texas A&M University) punted the ball from the box, sending it three-quarters of the way down the field. Holman headed the ball off to Jason Kornmeyer (Fr., F, Altus, NM/Altus HS), who broke in alone and beat Michael to the far side. It was his first career goal, and both Holman and Craddock were awarded assists on the play.

Craddock made seven saves for ENMU in the net, as St. Mary’s outshot its hosts 18-7 in the game. The Hounds got just four shots on goal, but made the most of them, as Michael only made one save in the contest.

Kris Sumter and Zach Valdez were given yellow cards in the contest for SMU, while Kornmeyer was given a caution late in the first half for Eastern.

The Hounds are back in action on Sunday, Oct. 31, when they play host to the University of the Incarnate Word for a 12 p.m. contest. It will be ENMU’s final game of its inaugural season, and the Hounds will honor senior midfielder Joseph Alvarez (Oklahoma City, OK/West Texas A&M) in his final home game as a Greyhound.