By Alan Wiederhold
HT Athletic Communications
 
DEL VALLE, Texas – Huston-Tillotson University's men's soccer team recovered from a three-goal second half from visiting Wayland Baptist to claim a 3-3 draw Saturday.
 
Playing in his hometown and on his former high school pitch, freshman Daniel Cerda (Del Valle, Texas) recovered a giveaway at the top of the WBU penalty area and netted the match-tying goal in 72nd minute. It was Cerda's first collegiate tally.
 
Cerda's goal at Del Valle's Veterans Memorial Stadium stanched a three-goal rally from the visiting Pioneers (0-1-2), who scored three goals in the first 15 minutes after halftime.
 
WBU's strong start to the second half was a stark contrast to the first half that was almost entirely controlled by the Rams (0-1-3). HT struck first in the 25th minute when 6-foot-3 junior defender Hank Sullins (Austin, Texas / Crockett) received a long pass from Aidan Starr (Round Rock, Texas / Round Rock) and netted his first collegiate goal. Starr sent a perfect pass from a free kick behind the midfield line that Sullins received in the WBU penalty area.
 
The Rams added to their lead in the 42nd minute when Alejandro Cruz (Lockhart, Texas / Lockhart) scored his first goal of the season on an assist from Joel Prince Kisukulu.
 
Sophomore goalkeeper Luke Phillips (Liberty Hill, Texas / Liberty Hill) made seven saves en route to his second draw of the season. His best play of the day didn't appear in the box score, as he beat a Wayland attacker to a free ball at the top of HT's penalty area with 49 seconds remaining to preserve the draw.
 
The Rams remained unbeaten against Wayland Baptist this decade, having won a pair of 1-0 home-and-home contests in 2021 and 2022.
 
The men's soccer team returns to action Thursday, Sept. 3, when the Rams travel to the greater Houston area for a match at former Red River Athletic Conference opponent North American University. The match is the second of a women's-and-men's doubleheader between the two schools, with the first match scheduled for 5 p.m.
 
 – HT –