ABILENE, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' Cowboy soccer team scored five first-half goals and never looked back, rolling to a 7-0 American Southwest Conference victory over Howard Payne on Saturday night at the HSU Soccer Complex. The Cowboys improved to 3-6 overall and 2-1 in ASC play with the win.
Hardin-Simmons dominated from the opening whistle, out-shooting Howard Payne 35-10 and holding a 21-2 advantage in shots on goal. The Cowboys also earned 11 corner kicks while allowing just two.
Noah Halpin opened the scoring in the seventh minute off an assist from
Korbin Raef to give HSU an early 1-0 lead.
Jaxon Shaffer added back-to-back goals in the first half, finding the net in the 21
st and 22
nd minutes.
Joseph Friederich assisted on the first goal, while
Edwin Macias recorded the assist on the second.
Gael Zuniga pushed the lead to 4-0 in the 32
nd minute, finishing a scoring chance created by
Julian Trevino and Macias. Trevino then added a goal of his own just over two minutes later off a pass from Zuniga as the Cowboys carried a 5-0 advantage into halftime.
Gabriel Rodriguez added a second-half goal in the 65
th minute before
Easton Hedge capped the scoring in the 79
th minute.
Shaffer led the offense with two goals, while Macias recorded two assists. Zuniga and Trevino each contributed a goal and an assist in the balanced attacking effort.
Defensively,
Joel McPherson,
Joaquin Sanchez and
Cayden Francis combined for the shutout, making two saves.
Hardin-Simmons will play its next game at East Texas Baptist on October 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Marshall, Texas.
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