MIDLAND, Texas — West Texas FC took on the Oklahoma City 1889 FC in the National Premier Soccer League Southern Regional semifinals on Wednesday night at Astound Broadband Stadium. West Texas FC dominated on both sides of the pitch and won by a final score of 4-1, advancing to the finals.
Game Recap:
In the 15th minute, midfielder Kareem Williams got the scoring started by striking one to the back of the net to give West Texas FC the early lead. The game would eventually turn into attrition, but West Texas FC held the line to go into half at 1-0.
In the second half, West Texas FC made their dominance known.
They got back-to-back goals from Antoine Marquez and then a goal from Ethan Stevenson in the 73rd minute put the cherry on top. Final score was 4-1.
Williams said after the game that it felt good to show out against his old team.
"This is my first time starting in a while so the legs aren't used to it, but that was my old team I was going up against, so I guess that was driving me forward to go and get that ball today for my team," Williams said. "Playing against your old team in your home stadium, it's gonna give you that drive to go and score and get bragging rights."
Head Coach David Ormiston told his team at halftime to slow down their game, which made a difference in the second half.
"These knockout games are a little bit tentative and we were trying to feel each other out, as far as what you saw in the beginning," Coach Ormiston said. "We talked to the guys at halftime about trusting ourselves with the ball and slowing down the tempo a little bit. We don't have to go go go and you saw that in the second half and you saw the score line and it worked."
West Texas FC now moves on to face Columbus United FC in the Southern Regional Final on Saturday back at Astound Broadband Stadium.