Men’s Soccer looking to keep unbeaten run going with RRAC openers

Entering the 2024 season, the UHV Men's Soccer team wanted to be known as a team that would out-work its opponents.

After the first month of the season, the Jaguars boast an unbeaten 2-0-1 mark with wins in each of their last two matches against Dallas Christian, 4-0, and Wayland Baptist, 3-0. In those last two, UHV saw Baillie O'Reilly, Dario Elsen and Elijah Jarmon each score their first career goals for the Jaguars.

UHV has also been the best defensive team in the Red River Athletic Conference, boasting a 0.33 Goals Against Average, a mark which leads the conference and ranks third in the NAIA.

With the non-conference slate finished now, the Jaguars will look to put its hard-working mentality to the test in the Red River Athletic Conference with a trip to East Texas to face Texas College at Lear Park in Longview on Thursday, and Jarvis Christian on Saturday in Hawkins.

"It's been fantastic, especially with the new boys we have," said senior midfielder Archie Mills. "So, our role as returners has been to just impose that work ethic on the team. When we're working hard, it reflects on everyone. It pushes everyone to work harder and harder. Hopefully that helps us reach our goal of winning the championship."

UHV's work rate has been evident with its attack.

Currently, O'Reilly ranks third in the conference in assists (2) and fourth in points (6). The junior from Burbage, England, has scored or assisted in each of the Jaguars' first three matches. He had a goal and an assist in UHV's 3-0 win over Wayland Baptist back on Sept. 7 and has scored in the last two matches.

O'Reilly, Adam Thompson and Einar Rolfsen each share third place on the RRAC leaderboard in goals scored with two apiece.

"Those guys, they have experience as players," said head coach Adrian Rigby. "They know the work rate. They know the standard it takes. They also initiate the press when we want to press. They're smart players and they're able to dictate when we go. For us, they're doing all the right things up top."

Junior goalkeeper Tyler Kaeppeli made six saves last time out against Wayland Baptist, earning RRAC Defensive Player of the Week honors. It was his 15^th career shutout at UHV.

He and fellow junior Eric Thust have combined for an .875 save percentage on nine shots on goal.

"I think it's our commitment to our work rate and defending as a team," Rigby said. "We have some good players and have had some strong goalkeeping, as well, but it's really been the team commitment to working hard defensively and making it hard for other teams to play against us."

The Jaguars own a 7-0-2 advantage in the all-time series with the Steers (1-1) and a 10-1 mark against the Bulldogs (1-3).

But UHV, which is seeking its first conference championship since 2021, is ready to take a game-by-game approach as it begins conference play.

"We always have to stay focused, no matter who we're playing," said senior midfielder Osiel Robledo. "These first three matches, we've played phenomenal and have taken them game-by-game. We just have to stay focused on who we're playing and try to handle business in those 90 minutes."