Renato Ramlochan scored both goals for Newman University, including the game-winner with 41 seconds remaining in overtime, to lift the Jets to a 2-1 victory over Incarnate Word Friday night at Wilkins Field. The Cardinals entered the match as the No. 3 team in the South Central Region.
The home victory for Newman followed up a pair of tough road losses last week and Head Coach Cliff Brown was elated at the team’s effort.
“Tonight we showed pure heart and commitment,” Brown said. “We didn’t have that last week but I am so happy with this team right now.”
Newman never trailed but perhaps could have settled for the tie when Incarnate Word knotted the score after a widely argued penalty kick. Michael Terrell zipped the goal into the upper left corner with 11:26 to go, paving the way for overtime.
His goal came just three minutes after Ramlochan’s first score broke a 0-0 tie. As with the game-winner, Ramlochan snuck around the taller, bigger defenders to find some space. Will Peppard started the play with a long free kick near the right sideline approaching midfield. He found Joe Gerant inside the 18 on the far wing and Gerant simply punched it back to the right for Ramlochan to finish with a one-timer.
“They were back on track tonight,” Brown said. “The overall effort was absolutely phenomenal and tonight we put away the chances we had.”
While the two scores by Ramlochan stole the show, Newman’s stalwart in goal, Emmanuel Gutierrez came up big on several instances to give the Jets a chance. The senior ended with six saves.
“Manny made some big plays,” Brown noted. “He’s not the biggest guy and they are such a big team but he delivered.”
The loss was a jolting one for Incarnate Word, who entered the match in a three-way tie for first place in the Heartland Conference standings.
“Every single player stepped up and did the job tonight,” Brown finished.
The Jets will wrap up the home portion of the schedule on Sunday at 1 p.m. against Heartland Conference opponent, St. Edward’s. It will be the final home match for seniors Gutierrez, Pablo Molina, Nick Porter, Nick Pfeifer, Jake Baalman, and Jose Alvarez.