LUBBOCK, Texas — Looking to keep its unbeaten streak going through its first weekend of Heartland Conference action, the Newman men's soccer team showcased tough defense and worked to a 0-0 draw against Lubbock Christian Saturday afternoon.
KEY SEQUENCE
Still looking to open the scoring as regulation ticked to a close, the Jets (3-2-1, 1-0-1 Heartland) put the pressure on the Chaparrals (2-3-1, 1-0-1 Heartland). Starting with a blitz of three shots all within the 86th minute — including one from Marian Saar that forced a save — Newman concluded the period with three corners that produced two shots that went over the crossbar, never getting closer to the game-winning goal.
HOW IT HAPPENED
-Shots by Vince Couto and Ed Jabbari—who teamed up for a big goal Thursday in a win over Texas-Permian Basin — opened the offensive output in the first five minutes, and LCU brought Newman keeper Blake Andrews onto the stat sheet in the 14th by forcing a save.
-The two sides traded yellow cards in the middle of the first half, and the Jets turned up the offensive pressure once again after that, as Carlos Rubio Garcia put a shot on goal in the 36th and Saar followed with a header in the 39th that required a save as well.
-The Chaps brought the pressure in the first nine minutes of the second half, uncorking four shots, including two on goal, and holding the guests to just one during the first 22 minutes after the break.
-LCU received a red card in the 80th minute, and that started the late charge for the Jets, who ripped off six shots while holding the hosts without a shot over the final 15 minutes before extra time.
-The Jets got two corners quickly to start overtime, with Andreas Agrell nodding a header wide on one in the first minute. Those were the only chances for Newman though, as they had to thwart three shots from LCU.
-A Chap shot was blocked in the 106th minute, and immediately followed up by a shot wide, but that was the final chance for LCU, while Rubio Garcia got off two more shots in the final five minutes, but a save and a header over the crossbar kept things scoreless.
NOTES
-The Jets dominated shots, holding a 24-13 advantage, including a 19-8 edge during regulation, but only four of those were on-target, matching Lubbock Christian's total for the game.
-Newman has now pitched two straight shutouts to start Heartland Conference play, the first time the Jets have accomplished that feat. The shutout streak has reached 271 minutes since allowing an early goal to Colorado-Colorado Springs Sept. 10.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Jets come home for a pair of conference matches next weekend, beginning Thursday night against Oklahoma Christian.
