Four Jags score against Dallas Christian to maintain unbeaten start

Scoring is contagious.

The UHV men's soccer team showcased that in a 4-0 win over Dallas Christian College at The Cage on Thursday to pick up their first win of the year and maintain an unbeaten start to the year. Thursday's match featured four different goalscorers, including two career firsts for UHV newcomers.

Baillie O'Reilly, a junior from England, doubled UHV's lead in the 30^th minute on a ball from Archie Mills for his first goal at UHV (1-0-1) and fourth career after transferring from Coastal Bend College. He also provided an assist in the Jaguars' goal in a 1-1 draw with Nelson last week.

Elijah Jarmon, a freshman from Cleburne, capped the scoring in the 64^th minute with his first goal thanks to an assist from fellow freshman Michael Ayala. Jarmon and Mills led the team with four shots each.

"We combined well to get in," said head coach Adrian Rigby. "We're very excited to see these guys score. (Elijah) got his first goal here, but it was really good build up."

Sophomore Einar Rolfsen netted his second goal in as many matches with a 12^th-minute finish on a cross from Diby Kouassi. The Norwegian striker had two shots against the Crusaders (2-2).

Rolfsen is hoping to put together a similar start to the season as his freshman year where he scored five times in nine matches.

"It's important for me to score as a striker," Rolfsen said. "I want to contribute as well as I can at the top of my game."

Senior Adam Thompson notched his first goal of the season in the 36^th minute after coming on for Rolfsen. The Portsmouth, England, native rocketed a ball on frame and off a Dallas Christian player to earn his fifth career goal at UHV.

Having Thompson, O'Reilly and Jarmon open their scoring accounts, and mounting 31 shots against the Crusaders, is something the Jaguars hope to build on.

"It was really good for us to have four different scorers in the game," Rolfsen said, "because now their confidence builds in this team. Baillie had the assist last game, so he's a good offensive player. So, when we score like this, we build a team confidence that more of us can get the ball and create chances."

UHV did face adversity in the second half, however, when they went down to 10 men after Jonah Straube was shown a red card in the final 18 minutes.

The Jaguars' defense limited Dallas Christian to two shots after that while getting three shots off themselves playing a man down.

"It's one of those things that tested us, as well, playing a man down," Rigby said. "We had to learn to play with 10 men. It wasn't ideal, but we were able to figure a few things out and work on them."

Next, UHV travels to Plainview in the Texas Panhandle to face Wayland Baptist at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. The Jaguars hold a 2-1-1 advantage in the all-time series after winning 3-2 in a double-overtime thriller in 2021.

"We're good in the attack and I think working on combination play the last couple of weeks have paid off," Rigby said. "But we've got to get ready for Wayland. They're a good team and we're looking forward to the challenge."