The University of the Southwest Men's Soccer team made their season debut with two games in Oklahoma. On Saturday, they faced Science & Arts University (Okla.) in Chickasha, OK, which ended in a 4-0 victory for Science & Arts. On Monday, the men faced Oklahoma City University in Oklahoma City, OK, and finished with OKCU winning 3-1.
 
Game 1
Science & Arts started the game with a goal in the 18^th minute by Justin Croke that would put them ahead 1-0. Mihajlo Blazic would add another goal in the 36^th minute to put the starts up 2-0 going in the half.
 
The second half saw fireworks right away when USAO's Devon Charles put one away in the 47^th minute. Finally, Dani Suarez scored the final goal of the contest in the 65^th minute. That would be all she wrote as USW would fall to USAO 4-0.
 
Coach Edgar Negrete had this to say following the loss, "we played hard, and we came out and I thought we did well. The score board doesn't define how we play but we played hard and strong. We are missing some key players this year from the starting 11. With Julian Sosa and Amari Everage missing we are trying some new things to see what works for us and what doesn't."
 
 
Game 2
USW's matchup against Oklahoma City started with both teams unable to find the scoresheet as the first half ended 0-0.
 
OKCU would start the scoring in the second half with a goal from Jordan Da Costa in the 54^th minute that would put them up 1-0. John Woodhead added another goal for the Stars in the 57^th minute.
 
The Mustangs fired back with a goal of their own by Angel Marban, who was assisted by Millaivy Lopez. The 68^th minute goal brought USW back into the game, cutting the lead in half and putting them within firing distance.
 
Unfortunately, OKCU's Woodhead came back to score his 2^nd goal of the game in the 69^th minute. That would be all the scoring for the game and seal the victory for the Stars.
 
"We kept the ball for the first half of the game. I thought Angel Marban and Adrián Cuevas did a fantastic job in the first half moving the ball and giving us opportunities to get forward. We lost our identity 20 minutes into the second half which led OCU to score two goals back-to-back and put us down 2-0," Negrete said. "I know we are a good team, but we make mistakes that hurt us, and this is what happens today. I truly believe it should have been a different result, but mistakes can make or break a game and that's what happened today."

Men's Soccer is going to look to bounce back this upcoming weekend and get a notch in the win column. Luckily, they will be able to attempt that with their first home game of the season against Wayland Baptist.

"We finally play at home again Wayland Baptist and that game is more than just a soccer game for us. It's a rivalry game and we hope we can have many fans come out and support us next Saturday because it's a game that we are looking to fight till the very end," said Negrete. "We want to get our first win at home, but we know it's not going to be easy. We know Wayland is a tough opponent and will be looking for a victory. We must prepare this week and hopefully we can get some our key players back in the lineup this upcoming week and put on a show in front of our fans."
 
Men's Soccer will be back at home September 10^th at 3 PM MST against Wayland Baptist. Continue to follow USW Athletics and USW Women's Soccer on all social media for scores and updates throughout the season.