Garza-Rios Tallies Twice to Lift 'Roos to Season-Opening Win

SHERMAN, Texas - Luis Garza-Rios scored twice in a span of 3:18 in the second half for the Austin College men's soccer team, propelling the 'Roos to a 2-0 win over visiting Howard Payne University in the season opener at Jerry E. Apple Stadium on Sunday night.

Austin College was in control from start to finish against the Yellow Jackets, dominating possession throughout, but the 'Roos were unable to break through in the opening half after getting what appeared to be a first half tally wiped out due to an offside call. Austin College out-shot HPU 12-2 in the opening half and kept the pressure on in the second, firing 14 shots to four for the Yellow Jackets.

That offensive aggression finally paid off midway through the second frame when Uddipan Sarma slid a pass through the HPU defense to Garza-Rios, who finished what proved to be the game-winner at the 74:03 mark. It didn't take long for Garza-Rios to find the back of the net again, this time scoring after Sarma fed a pass across the goal-mouth to Richard Perez, who deflected it to Garza-Rios for a point-blank finish at the 77:21 mark.

Austin College finished with a 26-6 shot advantage, including 10-1 in shots on goal. Patrick Bassett stopped the only shot he faced to earn a clean sheet in his collegiate debut, while HPU's Adrian Villa made eight stops.