Vaqueros fall 3-1 in Houston to Dutch Lions

The Dutch Lions, the defending NPSL Texas Conference champions, proved why they have been one of the Lone Star State’s top minor league soccer team’s for the past five year on Saturday.

The Vaqueros fell 3-1 on the road as the Lions picked up a payback victory after Fort Worth defeated Houston 3-0 earlier this season in Cowtown.

Fort Worth competed on Saturday without head coach Nick Stavrou, who was absent to attend his daughter’s graduation.

“This was a tough loss. We came out strong and controlled the game in the first half,” Vaqueros assistant Greer Chavez said. “Glad to see Hilton Ngwa get on the scoresheet. They started faster in the second half and we just made too many mistakes in the back. We had chances throughout the game but couldn’t put them away.

“I think by far our player of the game was Marcel DaSilva. He made multiple outstanding saves and the scoreline would have been a lot uglier if he hadn’t been between the posts. This one definitely stings but we have another big game next weekend and we’ll be back out there this week getting ready for it.”

Fort Worth (4-2, 12 points) took the lead into the halftime behind a 28th minute goal from Ngwa.

However, the Dutch Lions (2-1-1, 7 points) took control immediately after the half. Houston banged two shots off the frame in the first two minutes following the break.

The Dutch Lions finally broke through in the 49th minute to equalize. A penalty kick in the 54th minute gave Houston the lead for good.

The game opened up completely around the 70th minute as it seemed clear another goal was there for the taking.

Ultimately, the Dutch Lions bagged the final tally with a solid build up for the 79th minute goal.

Midland-Odessa FC (5-1, 15 points) earned a road victory in Shreveport as the West Texas club snagged sole possession of first place in the conference.

Fort Worth returns to action at 7:30 p.m. Saturday June 17 at Texas Wesleyan University’s Martin Field when Shreveport heads to town.