Box Score HAYS, Kan. (September 7, 2014) – Lubbock Christian University men's soccer interim head coach
Lee Williams claimed his first coaching win and the Chaparrals earned their first victory of the season, as
Darius Strambler's second half goal and goalkeeper Tristan Putnam's eight-save shutout proved to be the difference in a 1-0 victory over Colorado State University – Pueblo Sunday afternoon at the Days Inn Classic hosted by Fort Hays State University.
Strambler was the beneficiary of a hard-working counter by the Chaps in the opening minute of the second half.
Mbongeni Ndlovu and
Elijah Madzikatire each fought through the ThunderWolves defense, and a tipped pass by Madzikatire ended up right on the boot of Strambler, who placed it past the right side of goalkeeper Sam Haseltine 16 seconds into the second half.
CSU-Pueblo had several chances for the equalizer, but were unable to get any of their 14 second half shots past Putnam. Strambler had a chance for a second goal, but he drilled a kick from inside the box off the crossbar. He led all players with six shots and five of them ended up on target.
Both keepers were very active in net. Putnam claimed his first LCU shutout, stopping eight shots on goal. His finest save was a sliding save while challenging Nick Mangialardi on a breakaway with 2:30 left to keep the ThunderWolves off the scoreboard. Haseltine made nine saves off 10 shots on goal in the losing effort (0-2-0).
The Thunderwolves out-shot LCU 25-18, but LCU had a 10-8 advantage in shots on goal. The Chaps claimed their first win of the season and are 1-1-0 after splitting their stay at the Days Inn Classic. CSU-Pueblo fell to 0-2-0 with the loss. It was LCU's first meeting against CSU-Pueblo and against a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) member. They are now 2-2-0 all-time in neutral site games.
Williams is in his first season in a collegiate head coaching role. He took over for Matt Barnes last month after Barnes accepted the head coaching position at San Francisco State. The Chaps head back to Lubbock and return to the pitch Thursday to host University of the Southwest (N.M.) for their home opener.
