Eastern earns tie with West Texas
Craddock makes eight saves in shutout

Box score

PORTALES, N.M. — The Eastern New Mexico University men’s soccer team earned a key point on Tuesday, Oct. 26, as it fought to a scoreless tie with West Texas A&M University. The Hounds are now 5-11-2 on the year (2-9-1 Southwest Soccer Conference), while the Buffs sit at 10-4-2 (7-2-1 SSC).

Eastern got outstanding play between the posts by Leif Craddock (So., GK, Amarillo, TX/West Texas A&M), who exacted revenge on his former team with seven saves. The Hounds also got help from the posts themselves, as WTAMU banged a pair of first-half shots off the near side post, and Josh Fender’s second-half penalty kick bounced off the crossbar. Fender led the Buffs with six shots, two of them on goal.

ENMU nearly got on the board at the 30:37 mark, when Jonathan Holman (So., F, Rio Rancho, NM/Rio Rancho HS) got the ball about 20 yards out on the near side. With his back to the goal, Holman lifted the ball in the air and kicked it over his head and just underneath the crossbar, only to have it knocked over the net by West Texas keeper Andy Young.

Each team had a solid opportunity in the first overtime, but both netminders were up to the task. Just 36 seconds into the extra session, Fender put a header on net, but Craddock made a diving save to keep the Buffs scoreless. Joey Ongaga (Fr., F, Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad HS) put a shot on net that Young turned away at the 92:15 mark.

Holman and Martin Gallegos (So., F, Roswell, NM/College of the Southwest) each had two shots to led the Hounds, who were outshot in the game 17-10. Despite the intensity of the game, neither team was given a yellow card, though Eastern committed 19 fouls to West Texas’ 15. Eastern registered seven corners, including one in each of the two overtime periods.

The Hounds are back in action at home this weekend for their final two matches of the year, both against SSC opponents. On Friday, Oct. 29, Eastern will host St. Mary’s University for a 2 p.m. contest. Sunday, Oct. 31 will be Senior Day, as ENMU will honor its lone senior, midfielder Joseph Alvarez (Oklahoma City, OK/West Texas A&M) before the 12 p.m match against the University of the Incarnate Word.