David Purser (5) follows through after scoring first goal in first half of Scorpions' 3-2 win.
Scorpions Pull Out Dramatic 3-2 Victory Before 1,000 Fans
Posted September 20, 2007
A crowd of more than 1,000 saw a dramatic finish at UTB/TSC's first-ever home men's soccer game, as Fernando Mendoza scored on a penalty kick with three minutes left in the game to lift the Scorpions to a 3-2 win over Huston-Tillotson University at Morningside Park Thursday, September 20.

The win improves the Scorpions' season record to 5-2-1 and leaves them alone in first place in the Red River Athletic Conference with a 2-0 record. HTU drops to 5-3-1 and 0-1 in RRAC play. It was the second win for the Scorpions over HTU in five days.

Mendoza got the chance to kick the winning goal because he was fouled from 10 yards away from the net. His penalty kick barely eluded the reach of HTU goalkeeper Gabe Gibbons, setting off a wild celebration by Scorpion players, coaches, and the large crowd.

It was a close game all the way. The Scorpions took a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute on a goal by David Purser with an assist by Marco Malovic, who had a beautifully executed corner kick.

HTU tied it at 1-1 on a goal by Frank Toscano in the 28th minute, with an assist by Collin Whiting. The game remained tied 1-1 at the half.

The Scorpions took a 2-1 lead on an unassisted goal by Brian Hardie in the 65th minute, but HTU tied it at 2-2 on a header by Jorge Flores in the 71st minute.

The Scorpions will also be home at 7 p.m. Saturday, September 22, against College of the Southwest, and play five of their last nine games at Morningside Park.