PORTALES, N.M. – Moment number ten on our “Top Ten Moments of 2019-20” occurred early last fall on Sept. 8th as Eastern New Mexico men’s soccer shutout #3 Fort Hays State in dominate fashion.
The Tigers entered the match in the midst of a 14-game regular season win streak but quickly saw their enthusiasm deflated as the Hounds controlled the momentum from the opening kick. Excellent defense led by 2019 LSC Goalkeeper of the Year Ross Dalton and a pair of goals from defender Joaquin Borruel and two-time All-Region selection Gabriel Peres carried the Green and Silver to a 2-0 victory.
The Hounds broke up the tie ball game midway through the first half as Borruel out-jumped the Tigers defenders in the box and headed the ball into the back of the net following a corner kick. In the 51st minute, Peres took a free kick from 20 yards out and struck a world-class goal fit for SportsCenter, bending the ball into the top left corner.
Dalton finished the game with five saves and captained a defense that kept FHSU from finding any offensive rhythm. Eastern’s physical play held the Tigers to 11 total shots and completely shutdown the 2018 National Player of the Year in Santiago Agudelo who was limited to just three shots.
In just the first week of the season, the 2019 men’s soccer team became the first in program history to defeat two nationally ranked opponents. The Hounds defeated #17 Colorado Mesa just three days earlier and proceeded to break more records throughout the year.
