LeTourneau University

 

 

MEN’S SOCCER

LeTourneau University men’s soccer played Schreiner University to a 0-0 tie after 110 minutes of action at the Joyce Family Athletic Village in Longview, Texas.

Junior goalkeeper Brian Howell recorded his second straight shutout between the posts, the third of his career. Howell made seven saves and commanded the YellowJacket defense who has played 204 minutes without giving up a goal so far this season.

In the 83rd minute, the YellowJackets (1-0-1, 0-0 ASC) were knocking on the door with an attack that drew the keeper out. A crossing ball deflected off freshman Zachariah Malik and Schreiner goalkeeper Blake Lawson, and it looked to be heading towards goal until a Mountaineer defender cleared it away just before crossing the goal line.

“We fought hard and defended well. We created chances, but we were not able to put them away. It was a fair result for a tough game,” said head coach Matt Haesecke after the match.

There were 24 total shots in the game with 13 of those being handled by the goalkeepers. Freshman Attikus Martinez and Zachariah Malik led the YellowJacket attack each putting two shots on goal.

LETU men’s soccer will return to the Joyce Family Athletic Village on Tuesday at 8 PM for a showdown with the Gentlemen of Centenary College (Louisiana).

WOMEN’S SOCCER

LeTourneau University women’s soccer wins 1-0 in a Saturday matchup against Schreiner University at the Joyce Family Athletic Village in Longview, Texas. The YellowJackets improve to 2-0 to start the season for the first time since 2002.

A foul in the box in the 7th minute earned senior Stephanie Vana a trip to the penalty spot. Vana stepped to the ball and placed it in the right corner of the net to put the YellowJackets up for good.

The YellowJackets (2-0, 0-0 ASC) continued to press on the Mountaineers from Schreiner putting five shots on goal. Senior goalkeeper Brittany Hollis made two saves, and the defense helped her to reach a second straight shutout to start the season.

At today’s game, LeTourneau University Athletics and the YellowJacket soccer team had the privilege to welcome, honorary captain, Lexi Edwards as she joined the team on the field for pregame introductions and coin flip.

Lexi a 10-year old fourth grader from Hallsville, Texas who doctors diagnosed on July 6th, 2016 with Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease. It is a disease that’s cause is still unknown. They know it affects kids between 2-12 years old and typically only effects very athletic, active, energetic kids. The disease affects the hip and Lexi has 99% blood flow loss to her hip.

Lexi is a cheerful, energetic girl that has a passion for soccer and always has a smile on her face even through everything she has been through. Her mom Jamie Buchanan and dad, Timothy Buchanan, first introduced Lexi to soccer at the age of six. She fell in love and has played nothing else since. “It is soccer year round for this little ray of sunshine,” said Buchanan. “Soccer is everything to her. The thing she has been upset about the most is that she can no longer play soccer.”

LETU Athletics along with the support of our fans were able to raise over 500 dollars from T-shirt, bracelet, and concessions sales to help Lexi and her family defray the cost of the treatments. She had surgery in August and will have her cast removed in a few weeks after which she will have to remain in a wheelchair for a minimum of a year.

LeTourneau women’s soccer will return to the pitch at the Joyce Family Athletic Village on Tuesday at 6 PM to take on the Ladies from Centenary College (Louisiana).