BROWNWOOD, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor men's soccer team used a dominant second half to earn a 4-1 win over Howard Payne University in the 2026 American Southwest Conference opener Thursday in Brownwood. The win improved the Cru to 5-2 on the season.
Howard Payne scored the go-ahead goal in the seventh minute off a shot to low center from Kolby Lara. The Yellow Jackets held that margin until the 34
th minute when
Martin Valdes scored off an assist from
Jesus Vasquez for a 1-1 knot. UMHB outshot HPU 10-3 in the first half, putting three shots on goal.
Braden Farmer scored the go-ahead goal for the Cru in the 72
nd minute, finding the lower right side for a 2-1 UMHB lead.
Grayson Bowler added another goal for the Cru in the 78
th minute, scoring off a pass from
Billy Yonce.
Jackson Whitley tacked on the Cru's final score in the 85
th minute, sealing the 4-1 victory.
UMHB outshot the Yellow Jackets 21-3 in the contest, putting 10 shots on frame.
Martin Valdes and
Eric Ortiz led the Cru with four shots each.
Hughston Taggart played the full 90 minutes in the net, making one save.
UMHB returns to action on Saturday, September 26
th in a 7:30 p.m. contest at Schreiner University in Kerrville.
