SEGUIN â€"
Lalo Ramirez scored the game's only goal and helped Texas Lutheran Men's Soccer to its second straight win to start the season Monday after a 1-0 road victory against Hardin-Simmons inside the HSU Soccer Complex.
For the second time in as many games, Ramirez came up with the game-winning goal, this time breaking the scoreless deadlock in the 57th minute. The goal was assisted by
Gabriel Sosa, his first assist of the year.
Ramirez (Round Rock, Texas) has shown a flair for the dramatic in the early portion of the season. The sophomore scored the game winner in Friday's season-opening win against LeTourneau, too.
The Bulldogs (2-0) were outshot in the game 13-8, but were much more accurate with their shots than the Cowboys (0-2). Seven of the Bulldogs' shots were on target, while TLU goalkeeper
Jonathan Michael was called upon to make just three saves.
Perhaps the biggest moment of the game for Michael came in the first half when Hardin-Simmons was awarded a penalty kick in the 24th minute. Michael stonewalled Laurent Maksoud and kept the game scoreless.
Michael (Coppell, Texas), a sophomore, notched his first shutout of the season and has been in strong form early on. He's now tallied 13 saves and allowed just one goal (.929 save pct.) in the opening two games.
Five different Bulldogs tallied shots on goal, with Sosa (Leander, Texas) leading the way with three.
The first half was controlled by Hardin-Simmons with the Cowboys getting off six shots while holding Texas Lutheran to none. It wasn't until the second half when the Bulldogs began to gain momentum, outshooting the Cowboys 8-6.
Ramirez's goal came after a flurry of Texas Lutheran activity. Prior to the goal, the Bulldogs got off three shots on goal in just a little more than five minutes.
There referees also made an impact, sending off Hardin-Simmons' Cole Johnson with a red card in the 72nd minute and handing out three yellow cards to other Cowboys. Two yellow cards were given to Texas Lutheran.
The Bulldogs will look to make it three straight wins to open up the season when they come home again to take on Concordia at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7.
