In a match filled with grit, heart, and a dramatic finish, the Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) men’s soccer team clawed their way to a hard-fought 1-1 draw against a strong University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) squad on a sweltering afternoon in San Antonio. The Saints showed resilience and fire, refusing to back down in front of their home crowd—even when the clock wasn’t on their side.
For most of the match, it looked like the Saints might fall just short. USAO’s Matija Malenovic opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, slipping one past OLLU goalkeeper Zak Averns at the 31:13 mark. It was a rare slip in an otherwise strong showing for Averns, who stood tall in net for all 90 minutes and made six crucial saves to keep the Saints within striking distance.
OLLU, undeterred by the early deficit and the grueling heat, pushed forward with intensity, searching for the equalizer. Although the Saints managed just three shots on goal compared to the Drovers’ seven, it was the final one that mattered most.
With the match ticking into its final seconds and the Saints mounting one last surge, Andres Rocha delivered the moment of the match when he fired a dramatic equalizer past the USAO keeper to tie the game 1-1. The Saints bench erupted, and the home crowd roared as Rocha’s clutch goal salvaged a result in a game where chances were hard to come by.
Despite being outshot 14-8 overall, OLLU’s defensive unit held firm, and Averns steady hands proved pivotal in keeping the game within reach. The Saints composure and grit under pressure were a testament to their preparation and belief in each other.
With the draw, OLLU continues to build momentum early in the season, and performances like this one highlight the team’s determination and fight. The Saints return to action against UIW on Friday September 5th at 7:00 PM.