Nov. 12, 2009

Courtesy of Hardin-Simmons Athletics

BELTON, Texas — Chris Hunter scored a goal in the 79th minute and Isaiah Hicks added another in the 86th minutes as Hardin-Simmons’ men’s soccer team won its opening round game of the NCAA Championship Tournament in front of 629 fans on Thursday afternoon at the Cru Sports Complex.

Hunter took advantage of a misplay in the back and Hunter took the ball wide open at the top of the 18 dribbled a few times a ripped past Mark Miller for the first goal at the 78:35 mark.

Isaiah Hicks then put the game away at the 86:45 mark when he hustled down a long ball, Miller tried to clear it out and Hicks took a touch and hammered it home for his fifth goal of the season.

The Cowboys outshot UMHB 13-11 in the game. It was the third meeting in the last three weeks for the two teams. UMHB won 1-0 in the regular season and the teams tied but the Cowboys won on penalty kicks last Sunday in the ASC Championship.

It was the first win in NCAA Tournament history for the Cowboys in five tries.

With the win, HSU is now 11-2-6 on the year and Mary Hardin-Baylor ended its season with a record of 14-4-1. HSU will play at Trinity on Sunday at 6 p.m. in the second round.