The Central Texas Lobos were minutes away from taking the first win of the season, but a late goal from the University of Houston Cougars tied the game 1-1 at Gregg-Clarke Park.
This was a friendly preseason game for the Lobos, as they head into the regular season in the Gulf Coast Premiere League May 12.
The wind took a toll on both teams throughout the game, but the Cougars had the early advantage in the first half. University of Houston had most of the possession in the beginning of the game, and took plenty of shots on goal to try and take the lead early.
Toward the end of the first half, the Lobos took control of possession and the game. Central Texas took to the sidelines to try and make something happen in the middle of the field, but were not successful. The game was scoreless at the half.
With a more aggressive game in the second half, the Lobos had their first chance at goal and took it.
In the 59th minute, Lobo Quadri Oladipupo got away at the top of the box, and with no Cougars on coverage, he took a strike and placed it in the back of the net.
With the Lobos now up 1-0, there were several fouls to follow and two yellow cards in the game. However, in the final minute the Cougars took a free kick outside the box. The ball went over the wall and through the keeper to even the score 1-1.
Lobos owner David Walding said he thought his team did well with this being the first game of the season.
“For a friendly game, I thought it went fairly well, it’s our first game of the season and I thought we did really good especially when we had most of our starters in,” Walding said. “We still need some time to work out the kinks and the formation and everything, but I think we did a pretty good job today.”
With the first game of the season now over, head coach Felipe Arcos can now look at the roster and formation to see what his team can improve on before heading into the first regular season game.
Arcos said his team did well, but can’t make little mistakes towards the end.
“I think the most important thing is that we don’t make mistakes on the defense in the last minute, because in the last two minutes they got around us and tied the game,” Arcos said.
The Lobos start the season May 12 in Louisiana against Pool Boys FC. Looking back on the game against the Cougars will help Arcos make the adjustments the team needs to come out strong.
“In this game, we were practicing and it was a very good game to know more about our other players that we have right now so we’re happy,” Arcos said. “We weren’t happy about the tie in the last minute, but we are to work and improve for next game.”
