BELTON, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor men's soccer team tied Hardin-Simmons University 1-1 in the American Southwest Conference championship match Saturday evening in Belton, falling 5-3 in penalty kicks.
 
Alex Bethke put the Cru up in the 25th minute, one-touching a free kick from Zachary Paclibar for a 1-0 lead. Hardin-Simmons scored the equalizer less than two minutes later off a header from Korbin Raef, knotting the game at one goal each. UMHB outshot the Cowboys 8-7 in the half with both teams putting three shots on frame.
 
Both teams saw second-half chances but neither was able to score, sending the game into overtime at a 1-1 tie. Neither team was able to score in either of the 10-minute overtime periods, resulting in penalty kicks to determine a champion.
 
Hardin-Simmons's Jerron Garcia made the first penalty kick into the right side of the goal but Alex Bethke responded, finding the far left side to knot PKs at one. HSU made another kick into the right side of the frame but Aidan Aguilera-Reeves responded in the same spot for a 2-2 knot. Daniel Villagomez hit the Cowboys' third penalty kick goal before the Cru hit the crossbar on their attempt, giving the Cowboys 3-2 lead. Gabriel Rodriguez netted HSU's fourth goal but Karsen Macias found the left side to keep the Cru in it with HSU up 4-3. Benny Lube made the final shot for the Cowboys, securing the win for Hardin-Simmons.
 
UMHB outshot the Cowboys 23-13 in the contest, putting ten shots on frame. Grayson Bowler, Karsen Macias and Alex Bethke each recorded four shots for the Cru. Hughston Taggard played the full 110 minute contest in the net, making four saves.
 
Hardin-Simmons advances to the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship Tournament with the bracket to be announced on Monday, November 10^th. UMHB will await its fate as a potential at-large selection.