SAN ANTONIO - Sophomore
Jose Antonio Herrera registered his first two career goals and graduate transfer
Mason Taylor authored a clean sheet in net as the men's soccer team opened the 2024 campaign with a 2-0 road win at Incarnate Word on Thursday night (Aug. 22). Herrera accounted for the game's only offense with a pair of strikes late in the first half to fuel the win.
"It's very important to have a great start for the beginning of the season," Herrera said. "It's up from here and it's game by game."
After an unsteady exhibition slate left head coach
Sid van Druenen with more questions than answers, the Jaguars' third-year head coach got some clarification in the opener. Herrera looked the part of a dependable striker and the Jaguars' defense kept UIW largely at bay in front of Taylor. After using four different netminders in the preseason, Taylor put up a poised effort, making five saves in the victory.
Herrera initiated the scoring in the 36th minute, getting on the business end of
Christian Nielsen's delivery from deep in the corner. Nielsen hustled to the endline to keep the ball in play and centered a pass to Herrera, who deposited the first goal of the campaign.
Just before the end of the half, Nielsen sprung Herrera free with a through ball into the teeth of the UIW defense. His initial shot was stopped by UIW goalkeeper Alejandro DeLaTorre, but the rebound attempt nestled into the lower-right corner of the net for a brace.
Playing with a two goal lead, the Jaguars were able to play possession for much of the second half, relying on center backs
Brady Horn and
Giovanni Leon to help predicate pace and space. The attack was more selective in its opportunities as the best chances came from
Cameron Radeke and a
Justin Figaroa restart after
Quentin Flowers drew a foul at the top of the box in the 77th minute.
Herrera and Radeke finished with a team-high three shots each and
Noah Kummrow had two attempts from his defensive post. With temperatures exceeding 100 degrees in Texas earlier in the day, van Druenen shuffled bodies as best as possible in the second half as players began cramping up.
The Jaguars will continue the two-game Texas trip on Sunday (Aug. 25) when they face Houston Christian at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.
