Quinones scores twice as second-half surge lifts Jags past Huston-Tillotson

The UHV men's soccer team had to endure a physical first half and yet another weather delay, but it was well worth the wait.

The Jaguars scored four second-half goals, including two from junior Carlos Quinones, to pick up a 4-0 win over Huston-Tillotson on Saturday. The game was paused in the seventh minute for an hour and 31 minutes due to lightning in the area.

"I'm really proud of the guys. It was a great effort, I thought, dealing with a little bit of adversity with a lightning delay," said head coach Adrian Rigby. "I thought we came out flying. Any time they get to spend time together in the locker room is good time. They came out flying again, which was great."

Quinones scored a brace in the 65^th minute on a pass from Diby Kouassi to put the Jaguars (5-1-1, 3-1-0) up 2-0 before doubling his tally three minutes later. It was the midfielder's first and second goals of the season.

"I think these two goals will help me get better," Quinones said. "I still have a lot of things to get better at and the coaches are helping me a lot. But these goals are really good for my energy and my confidence so I can get my rhythm."

Einar Rolfsen provided the game's opening goal in the 63^rd minute on a ball from Daniel Connell. It was the Norwegian striker's fifth goal of the year, which ties the team lead with Yahir Pena, and second goal in as many games.

Mateo Canales rounded out the scoring when he finished off a through ball from Adam Thompson in the 87^th minute.

"I think the confidence goes across the whole team," Rigby said. "I think they're playing really well right now. With all the new faces, we're still learning each other but playing well. We're playing with confidence. Carlos is full of confidence all the time with the experience at the (junior college) level. We're getting a lot of contribution from different guys which is great."

With the win, sophomore goalkeeper Tyler Kaeppeli, who made two saves against the Rams (1-4-0, 0-3-0), picked up his fourth shutout of the season and 11^th in his career.

UHV hosts Jarvis Christian on Monday in a match rescheduled from Sept. 16.