By Alan Wiederhold
HT Athletic Communications
AUSTIN – Huston-Tillotson University's soccer teams host their last two home doubleheaders of the season this week as the Rams welcome North American (Texas) and Xavier (La.) to the greater Austin area this weekend.
Thursday's doubleheader has been moved to a familiar venue – the Round Rock Multipurpose Complex, where the Rams played most of their home matches last season. The Ram men will kick off at approximately 3 p.m., following the conclusion of the women's match.
Saturday, the Rams will move back to the Onion Creek Soccer Complex in south Austin when they face the Gold Rush of Xavier.
Head coach
Aaron Yancy's team is led by
Albright Wesley Suh, who leads the Rams in scoring with four goals. Suh turned in a hat trick performance – the first by an HT player since 2022 – in the Rams' 3-1 win over Southwest (N.M.) on Oct. 12.
Goalkeeper
Juan Acosta has started eight of the Rams' 10 matches this season, and has 2.13 goals-against average and two shutouts to his credit this year.
Jose Camarena,
Trenton Fannin, and
Cuan Kingwill have played every match this season and have anchored the Rams' back line.
MATCH DAY 11
The Contest: North American (4-7-2, 2-5-2 RRAC) at HT Rams (3-5-2, 2-5-1 RRAC)
The Outing: Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 • 3:00 p.m.
The Pitch: Round Rock Multipurpose Complex • Round Rock, Texas
The Little Kicks: RedRiverConference.com Live Stats
About the Stallions
• Only one point separates the Rams and the Stallions on the Red River Athletic Conference table, as North American has one more draw in nine matches played, compared to HT's eight league matches.
• Both the Stallions and Rams are chasing eighth place Texas A&M–Texarkana, which lead North American by three points (the value of a win).
• North American has been outscored 23-16 in their 13 matches this season; Joseph Figueroa and Alejandro Perez Noboa lead the Stallions with three goals apiece.
Series Outlook
• Thursday's match will be the third meeting between the Rams and North American, the newest member institution of the Red River Athletic Conference, having joined in time for the 2022-23 year.
• The Stallions have won both previous meetings between the two teams, including a 4-2 win over the Rams in Houston last season.
• In the first-ever matchup between the teams, North American claimed a 2-1 win over the Rams in Round Rock (Sept. 9, 2022).
MATCH DAY 12
The Contest: Xavier (La.) (8-3-1, 7-2-0 RRAC) at HT Rams
The Outing: Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024 / 3:30 p.m.
The Pitch: Onion Creek Soccer Complex
About the Gold Rush
• The Gold Rush sit comfortably in fourth place on the RRAC table, joining the conference's three other Louisiana programs holding onto the top four positions.
• Xavier's (La.) two losses in conference play this season were at first-place LSU–Shreveport, and a shocking 2-1 setback at Southwest (N.M.); the Gold Rush will finish the regular season against second-place LSU–Alexandria and third-place Louisiana Christian.
• Six Gold Rush players have scored at least three goals this season. Brazilian national Gustavo Oliveira leads the Rush with eight goals and five assists, while his fellow countryman Leonardo Menzen has scored five goals for Xavier (La.).
• Breno Zanolla (São Paulo, Brazil) has started 10 games in goal for the Gold Rush, and has allowed 11 goals and a 1.19 goals-against average.
Series Outlook
• Xavier (La.) launched its varsity men's soccer program in time for the 2023 season; the Rams and Gold Rush met for the first time in the sport last season.
• The Gold Rush won last season's matchup 3-0 in Metairie, La.
– HT –
