Texans rout Arkansas-Pine Bluff in front of packed house at inaugural home opener

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STEPHENVILLE – Six Texans scored in Tarleton’s history-making home-opening 6-0 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff Thursday night at the Tarleton Soccer Complex in front of a sellout crowd.

“First and foremost, it was an unbelievable atmosphere,” head coach Pete Cuadrado said. “When I took this job, this was something I dreamed of. When every player committed to wearing the purple and the white, this was something they dreamed of, was this first home game. And I don’t know how many thousands of people were here, but I don’t think anybody could of beat us tonight with this crowd and this energy and atmosphere. It was such a fun experience and something that all of us will never forget.”

The Tarleton Soccer Complex was rocking early, about 90 minutes before first kick as the fans kept pouring in and the good vibes started flowing. In fact, 2,512 packed the stands for Tarleton’s first ever NCAA soccer game in Stephenville.

Kiki Baurmann was all over the pitch, netting one goal and tallying three assists to lead the offensive onslaught.

“Kiki’s a special player, we’re so fortunate to have her, [she’s] even a better a person,” Cuadrado said. “She’s definitely a fan favorite on the team, just a sweetheart of a person. She plays well everyone game, and that’s what you want from your senior as well.”

Avery Harr scored the program’s first goal on the home pitch when she broke through the Lady Lions’ backline, slotting home a breakaway goal in the sixth minute.

Mila Bettinelli pushed the Texans’ lead to 2-0 in the 28th minute when she made a darting run across the box. Baurmann found Bettinelli on the run and, after taking a touch, beat the UAPB defender to the near post for the goal.

Less than a minute later, Adriana Alonso-Gomez rocketed home a 30-yard shot over the keeper’s outstretched hands to give the Texans a 3-0 lead. Tarleton carried the lead into the half.

Sydney Rouillard opened the scoring in the second half when she knocked in a perfect cross from a corner kick off the foot of Baurmann. Five minutes later, Baurmann capped off a perfect possession with a spin move in the box, freeing herself to find the back of the net, giving the Texans a 5-0 lead.

Brianna Rodriguez was the sixth and final squad member to score when she found herself wide open on the back post for an easy goal in the 89th minute.

With the win, Tarleton improves to 2-0-1 while Arkansas-Pine Bluff falls to 2-1 on the season.

The Texans hit the road for a short spell as they head to Beaumont to take on Lamar on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT.

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