West Texas FC wins home opener against Austin United FC

With only one home game in 33 days, West Texas FC had to take advantage of the opportunity on Saturday night to earn three points.

West Texas FC was playing its first home game against visiting Austin United FC, its only game at Astound Broadband Stadium in its first six games to open the National Premier Soccer League season.

West Texas FC took care of business by recording a 3-2 victory over Austin United FC on a humid night at Astound Broadband Stadium.

West Texas FC (2-0-1, 6 points) led the entire game from the fourth minute until the end, with goals from defender Kareem Williams in the fourth minute, midfielder/forward Olivier Correa in the 21st^street minute and striker Antoine Marques in the 55th minute^th minute.

West Texas FC edged Austin United FC, 11-8. West Texas FC also had a 3-0 advantage in corner kicks.

“It feels great,” Correa said. “That’s what we work for all week. Getting this win feels special. It is the first home game with good participation. “We’re happy to do it for the crowd.”

Correa, who scored in his second consecutive game, dazzled the West Texas FC fans by dribbling through the Austin United FC defense and firing a well-placed shot over the goal.

“Oli is a top-notch player,” said West Texas FC head coach David Ormiston. “He is our captain. He is a leader who sets an example, on and off the field. If you know anything about this guy and have seen him play at Jacksonville University (Division I), goals like that are the norm for him. If you’re talking about today, today he got a great goal. He was special. I will give you that.”

Correa is a native of Montreal, Canada.

“I just lived near soccer fields and when I was a kid, I told my parents I wanted to go play and I kept doing it,” Correa said. “I also played hockey in my childhood like any good Canadian kid, but I had to choose and I chose soccer.”

Austin United FC (1-3-1, 4 points) received goals from midfielder Ethan Orozco and forward Max González.

After Correa’s goal gave West Texas a 2-0 lead, Austin United FC scored soon after on a fast break and trailed 2-1 heading into the half.

Marques kicked a diagonal ball toward the top left of the goal to give West Texas FC a 3-1 lead before Austin United FC made it interesting with a goal in the 83rd minute.^third minute.

Ormiston said his team lost concentration when they took a two-goal lead.

“The goals we gave up were really sloppy,” Ormiston said. “The three points are the most important thing. We are a little disappointed. We wanted a shutout, but there you have it.”

Correa added: “I feel like we dominated the game when we put our foot on the ball and moved it. We really dominated the other team. Unfortunately, I guess with tired legs and as the game progressed, we got away from that and made it difficult for ourselves. Hopefully we will work on that and be better next time.”

West Texas FC goalkeeper Christian Sekanina made four saves.

West Texas FC has three road games before their next home game on June 20 against CF10 Houston FC.

West Texas FC visits Brownsville FC at 7:15 pm on Thursday and will face Laredo Heat SC on the road at 8 pm on June 8.

Ormiston says both clubs are among the best in the Lone Star Conference and NPSL.

“We’re going to take this one day at a time, one game at a time and see what comes of it,” Ormiston said. “We are very fortunate to have a complete team with great quality. We’ll take it one game at a time and see how it goes. Aim for six points away from home.”