Pena sets record as Jags rout Texas College in RRAC opener

Yahir Pena has made an impact on the UHV men's soccer team through his first three games. He was just waiting for his breakthrough.

The PSJA Southwest grad got the breakthrough in a big way Thursday, scoring four second-half goals and setting the UHV single-game scoring record in a 7-0 rout of Texas College in the Red River Athletic Conference opener at The Cage.

The record-setting goal came in the 90^th minute with a brilliant free kick from outside the box.

"I'm very excited. I wasn't even aware of the record," Pena said. "But it feels good to have it and to start 1-0 in this conference. We know it's tough, but it feels good to start like this."

Pena played 55 minutes in Thursday's win, scoring in the 69^th, 80^th and 88^th minutes for his hat trick before setting the new single-game scoring record.

"Full of confidence," praised head coach Adrian Rigby. "He doesn't play like a typical freshman. He has a lot of energy for the game and is a smart player. He finished it in all different ways today, so I'm really proud of him."

The game was delayed for an hour due to lightning in the 14^th minute. Five minutes after the restart, junior Klaidas Pudlauskas was able to find an open net after a header from Einar Rolfsen to put the Jaguars (3-0-1, 1-0-0) up 1-0 in the 19^th minute.

Graduate senior Matthew Albury doubled the lead in the 45^th minute with his first goal of the year on a header from a Ryan Naidoo cross.

Jose Martinez made it 3-0 in the 49^th minute when he won possession from the Steers (1-2-0, 0-1-0) and fired a shot into the top corner.

"We talked about adversity last week with our travels and we've just got to take everything in stride," Rigby said. "Those are tough games when you come out then are sitting around for an hour and a half or so. But the guys came out really well and were flying."

Thursday was the third consecutive clean sheet for the Jaguars and 10^th career shutout for sophomore goalkeeper Tyler Kaeppeli, which ranks fourth all-time at UHV.

UHV will host Jarvis Christian on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. for Youth Soccer Appreciation Weekend.