BOX SCORE

Austin, Texas – Freshman Austin Beckett made eight saves in his first collegiate start and classmate Kendall Rockers netted a goal in the second half, but the Concordia University Texas men's soccer team dropped a 2-1 decision in its season opener to Huston-Tillotson on Wednesday, Sept. 7 at St. Stephen's.

After a scoreless first half that saw Huston-Tillotson hold a 16-4 advantage in total shots, the Rams were able to get on the scoreboard first in the 53rd minute of play. Cesar Silva gave the visitors a 1-0 advantage when he took a pass from Clay Kirk at the top of the box and one-time a shot to the far post.

Concordia, however, did not give up and was able to net the equalizer with under 10 minutes to play. Alec Kemnitz fired a shot from the top of the box that was turned away by the Ram goalkeeper, and Rockers was there to collect the rebound that came out to the right and knot the score at one goal apiece.

With time winding down, Huston-Tillotson (3-0) was able to avoid overtime by finding the back of the net one more time. Silva sent a pass back to Frank Toscano, who fired the ball past the outstretched hands of Beckett with just 3:29 left in regulation to seal the final outcome.

Concordia's Beckett, a graduate of nearby Stony Point High School, turned away eight of the 25 shots he faced in the losing effort. Huston-Tillotson's Aaron Nunez made one save in the opening frame before being relieved by Marcos Sanchez, who stopped two shots in the second half to pick up the victory.

Concordia (0-1) wraps up its non-conference slate on Sunday, Sept. 11 when it faces Austin College at 3 p.m.
-agate-
Huston-Tillotson (3-0)     0     2     -     2
Concordia (0-1)                0     1     -     1

Huston-Tillotson: Scoring – Cesar Silva (1-1), Frank Toscano (1-0), Clay Kirk (0-1). Goalkeeping – Aaron Nunez (45:00, 0 GA, 1 save), Marcos Sanchez (45:00, 0 GA, 2 saves).
Concordia: Scoring – Kendall Rockers (1-0), Alec Kemnitz (0-1). Goalkeeping – Austin Beckett (90:00, 2 GA, 8 saves).