Men’s soccer takes win streak into non-conference finales vs. Huston-Tillotson, St. Thomas

After winning three straight, the Texas A&M University-Victoria men's soccer team wants to keep rolling in its final week of non-conference matches.

The Jaguars (3-2) are set to host Huston-Tillotson at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, and NCAA Division III St. Thomas (TX) on Saturday.

Despite the red-hot form in the last three matches, first-year head coach Vince Martinez still wants his team to focus on improvement before entering Red River Athletic Conference play.

"Overall, it's about making things a little bit better on both sides of the ball," Martinez said. "We're attacking well and we're good on the counter, but we need to be better in possession in the middle part of the field. Then defensively, there's cleaning up some things on set pieces. That's something that we've got to work on as well as being a little bit more organized in the back. We're getting there."

The attack came alive last week for A&M-Victoria.

The Jaguars had nine goals from 31 shots last week as they beat Texas Wesleyan, 5-1, and Dallas Christian College, 4-0. The team's 18 shots and 10 on goal against DCC are the high-water marks for the season.

Jervan Matthew and Baillie O'Reilly set the pace last week, accounting for a goal or an assist on five of the Jaguars' nine goals last week. Matthew also scored three times last week, including two against Dallas Christian. Each goal was assisted by O'Reilly.

Martinez didn't realize the two would become a lethal attacking option when the season started.

"We knew what Baillie could do with his pure speed and whipping balls in on the right side," Martinez said. "But Jervan has been playing in multiple positions in the midfield. We thought we could use his strength as a striker and he's come through. He's been a delight to see with his progression in that forward line. He hasn't played it a lot, but he has a knack for the goal and that's what we needed."

A&M-Victoria also saw Murray Brieley, Yahir Pena and Kehinde Olajide open their scoring tally last week.

"I think we set a mindset that, wherever you're playing, we always have to start thinking goals," Martinez said. "The forwards, once we get the ball, you've got to see the counter and people looking to get forward. It's our mindset and I think it's contagious. Once someone gets a goal, someone else wants to get a goal and it's been a nice rhythm."

A&M-Victoria has seen its defense step up during this winning streak, allowing just one goal and limiting opponents to 15 shots on goal over the three matches.

Part of that defensive success has been the leadership from senior goalkeeper, Tyler Kaeppeli, who was named RRAC Defensive Player of the Week after making nine saves last week to become the program's all-time saves leader (148).

Seven of his nine saves last week came in the win over Texas Wesleyan. But Martinez had higher praise for his leadership off the field.

"He's more than just a team captain," Martinez said. "He does a lot of stuff for the team. Even though he's a senior, he's not afraid to help and do anything that's best for the team and our senior group is kind of following suit on that. When you have that kind of leadership, it goes a long way."

A&M-Victoria owns an 11-3-2 edge all-time against Huston-Tillotson (4-4) but is looking to avenge last year's 2-0 loss on the road. Saturday's meeting with the Celts (3-1) is the 13^th meeting all-time (A&M-Victoria leads 7-4-1), but first since 2019.