TLU Men's Soccer Ties Program Record Start With Home Opener Win Over Hardin-Simmons

SEGUIN, Texas -- The Texas Lutheran men's soccer team (8-0) utilized an 87th minute penalty kick from Erick Lopez (Humble/Humble) in a 2-1 win over Hardin-Simmons Friday night at Gustafson Field.

The first home win of the season puts the team at 8-0, the best start under long-time head coach Eddie Salazar and tied for the best start in program history when the team won its first eight games in 2001 - a start that Salazar was a part of as a player.

Texas Lutheran opened the scoring in the 13th minute as Preston Huff (Cypress/Cy-Fair) got the Bulldogs on the board. The tally marked Huff's third goal of the season.

The teams entered halftime tied 1-1 after the Cowboys immediately responded with a 13th minute goal via a penalty kick.

The 1-1 stalemate lasted for a majority of the second half before Texas Lutheran was able to draw a penalty kick of their own in the 87th minute. Lopez would step into the box and drill the game winner past the Cowboys keeper.

Texas Lutheran is an NCAA Division-III leading 5-for-5 in penalty kicks so far this season.

Goalkeeper Noel Pena (Houston/Cy-Falls) came up big with three saves in-goal for the Bulldogs.

TLU continues its four-game homestand as they welcome future SCAC foe, the McMurry War Hawks, to Gustafson Field on Sunday, Sept. 24, for their final non-conference match of the season. The match is scheduled for 2 PM and will be broadcast on TLU+. All streaming and live stats links will be available on tlubulldogs.com.