VAQUEROS CLINCH PLAYOFF BERTH AFTER VICTORY IN HOUSTON

The Vaqueros are headed to the playoffs for the first time in club history.

Fort Worth knocked off the Houston Regals 2-1 on Saturday at Kipp High School to secure the playoff berth.

The victory assured Fort Worth (5-1-2, 16 points) a playoff spot and at least third place in the conference. However, the Vaqueros could still finish atop the conference depending on how the final week of play shakes out.

The top four teams from their conference will vie for the title with the number one seed hosting the number four seed and the number two seed hosting the number three seed on July 8.

“We are so proud of what the boys accomplished tonight in securing a postseason berth for the Vaqueros family,” Fort Worth general manager Tobias Xavier Lopez said. “Tonight’s victory marked yet another milestone for the club in this record setting season that coach Nick Stavrou has conducted and the players have orchestrated.”

Fort Worth took the early lead in the fifth minute when Matt Rochowski headed home a pass from Tyler Humphrey.

The Vaqueros pounded the Houston end of the field after establishing control in the 20th minute.

However, a feisty Regals goalkeeper kept the score 1-0 at the break.

Houston faced an ejection in the 80th minute but continued to scrap.

Fort Worth’s Harris Partain netted the eventual game-winner in the 86th minute when he got in behind the Regals defense. Partain dribbled around the Houston goalkeeper to walk in Fort Worth’s final goal.

The Regals despite chasing the game were awarded a penalty kick in the 90th minute, which they converted to narrow the lead to 2-1 Fort Worth.

However, despite a frantic stoppage time period, the Vaqueros sealed the victory.

Houston will enjoy the chance at redemption on July 8 when the Regals travel to Cowtown for a 7:30 pm match at Texas Wesleyan University’s Martin Field.