Stallions Stampede to Victory: Noboa's Late Game Heroics Secure 3-2 Win Over Paul Quinn
By Rev. Justin C. Jackson, Sports Information Director, North American University
Dallas, TX – Now, folks, let me tell you something, what a match we just witnessed! Our Stallions put on a show last night, rallying from behind to pull off a gritty 3-2 victory over Paul Quinn College. If you're looking for heart, determination, and sheer will to win, look no further than this North American University squad. When the chips were down, these boys didn't flinch. They rose up, dug deep, and said, "Not today!"
First-Half Fireworks
Paul Quinn came out ready, and I mean ready. Just 3 minutes and 55 seconds into the game, Elijah Gonzalez caught us off guard with a sneaky unassisted goal, putting the Tigers ahead 1-0 before we could blink. But don't you dare count these Stallions out. Reynaldo Vanegas, as cool as you like, leveled the score at the 30:20 mark, shaking off the pressure and burying it in the net. Just when we thought we had the momentum, Paul Quinn's Mitchalin Ford decided to play spoiler, giving the Tigers another lead before the half with an assist from William Cortes. At halftime, we were down 2-1, but you could feel it in the air: this game wasn't over. Not by a long shot.
Second-Half Surge
Now, let me talk about my guy, Alejandro Noboa. This young man wasn't just playing soccer last night; he was commanding the field. With time ticking away, Noboa stepped up when we needed him most. At 76:00, he tied things up with an unassisted strike that made every North American fan stand up and take notice. But Noboa wasn't done. Oh no, sir! Just two minutes from full-time, this man worked his magic again, firing home the game-winner at 88:00. That's how you close out a game, ladies and gentlemen. Noboa came through in the clutch, and the Stallions stormed away with a 3-2 victory.
Players That Made It Happen
You've got to tip your hat to our goal scorers, Reynaldo Vanegas and the man Alejandro Noboa—but this win was a team effort. Everyone showed up. Shoutout to Gino Burioni for keeping things steady between the posts, especially in those late stages. Paul Quinn threw everything they had at him, but Gino held it down, making 3 crucial saves.
On the other side, Elijah Gonzalez and Mitchalin Ford gave us some trouble early, but once we got into our rhythm, there was no stopping our Stallions.
Key Numbers from the Night
- Shots on Goal: North American University - 9, Paul Quinn - 6
- Saves: Paul Quinn's Jose Martinez - 7, North American's Gino Burioni - 3
- Corner Kicks: Paul Quinn - 6, North American University - 4
- Fouls: Paul Quinn - 15, North American University - 11
Coach's Take
Listen, this wasn't just any win, it was a character win. Our guys showed grit. They battled back, they stayed focused, and they didn't let adversity shake them. I couldn't be prouder of their effort. Alejandro? He was a warrior out there. But it takes a whole team to get a W like this, and every single one of our Stallions played their part.
What's Next?
We're not done yet, folks. The Stallions are hitting the road, heading straight to Hobbs, New Mexico, to take on The University of the Southwest. It's a quick turnaround, but we're ready for that doubleheader against the Mustangs this Saturday. Stay tuned, because you're not going to want to miss it!
Special Shoutout
Before I sign off, a big, heartfelt thank you to Mr. Andrew Whigham, SID at Paul Quinn. You, my friend, are the real MVP for keeping those stats sharp and uploading the game into the Presto Stat log. We appreciate the hard work and dedication you put in behind the scenes.
Now, with that said… Get Those Hooves Up, Stallion Nation, and let me hear it one more time… Goooooo Stallionsssssssss!!!!!!
