Jags hold off Southwest in high-scoring affair

The UHV men's soccer team wanted to take a page out of Ted Lasso's book.

"Be a goldfish" served as the team's mentality heading into Thursday's Red River Athletic Conference match against University of the Southwest, meaning they wanted to ignore anything in the past.

It worked as four different Jaguars found the back of the net in a 4-2 bounce-back win over the Mustangs.

"It does a lot for our confidence," said junior goalkeeper Tyler Kaeppeli. "We always talk about being goldfish, forgetting what happened and going on to the next piece of action. Today, that's exactly what we showed."

Mathias Jorstad led the way for the Jaguars (5-2-2, 3-2-1), scoring the opener with a rocket from outside the box in the 20^th minute – the first career goal for the Norwegian freshman. Archie Mills then sent UHV to the break with a 2-0 lead after finishing a pass from Felipe Rangel in the 41^st minutes.

Jorstad then assisted Yahir Pena's goal in the 60^th minute which put the Jaguars up 3-1 after a 50^th minute goal by the Mustangs (3-5-2, 1-4-2).

"Hats off to Southwest," said head coach Adrian Rigby. "I though they came in and played a very strong game. … (After the first goal), we figured out a few things through the run of play and had some success with the way we played today."

Still, UHV had to fend off Southwest, who pulled within 3-2 in the 65^th minute on a goal from Yahir Chacon. Adam Thompson sealed the game in the 81^st minute with a loud volley off a pass from Osiel Robledo.

The senior's third goal of the year – which is a new career-high for him in a season – came five minutes after the Mustangs saved his attempt from the penalty spot. He had a season-high eight shots on Thursday, the highest mark for any Jaguar this season and one off the single-game record of nine last accomplished by Miguel Cruz in 2015.

"Why score the easy chances?" Thompson joked. "As a leader, I want to show that whatever I do, even if I make mistakes, I'm going to keep my head high and keep going. I wanted to make a statement today, so I'm glad I scored that goal."

But the Mustangs wouldn't go away.

A penalty was given two minutes after Thompson's goal put UHV up 4-2.

Kaeppeli dove to his right, deflecting Millaivy Lopez's shot onto the post before the Vernon, British Columbia-born goalkeeper smothered any chance at a rebound. With six saves Thursday, Kaeppeli has made six or more saves in each of his last three starts.

"It was important to not concede any more," Kaeppeli said. "I was trying to do all I can to distract the players, distract everyone else and then focus on myself. Luckily enough, I chose the right side and was able to make the save."

The Jaguars return to The Cage on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. to face Paul Quinn College for the team's annual Pink Out Game in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.