Rafael Lara
  • Deciding
  • Class of 2019
  • Houston, TX

Rafael Lara Receives American Southwest Conference Honor

2017 Nov 8

Rafael Lara of Houston, TX received American Southwest Conference soccer honors.

After posting its first winning record in 13 seasons, the 2017 McMurry University men's soccer team had a total of five of its players receive post-season recognition from the American Southwest Conference, the league office announced today. Four War Hawks (8-5-3, 5-3-3 ASC) team members - Alex Chavez (Galveston, Texas/Ball H.S.), Josh Erwin (Duncanville, Texas/Duncanville H.S.), Rafael Lara (Houston, Texas/YES Preparatory North Central) and Jesus Sanchez (El Paso, Texas/Horizon H.S.) - were named All-ASC second team, while newcomer Jordan Sczech (Spring Branch, Texas/Canyon Lake H.S.) was selected as the co-Offensive Freshman of the Year award winner.

Chavez had a record-setting season as a senior in goal for the War Hawks. Chavez was a three-time American Southwest Conference - and National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) - Defensive Player of the Week selection. Chavez set McM season records for saves percentage (.894), goals against average (0.48) and shutouts (8), one of which was over NCAA III No. 21-ranked Mary Hardin-Baylor (1-0).

Chavez also had - at one point in the season - a streak of 575 scoreless minutes in goal, between September 28 and October 21. He led the NCCAA and ASC in shutouts per game and saves percentage (also topping the NCCAA in goals against average). He holds the McMurry career shutouts record (11), as well. Chavez also had the rare assist by a goalkeeper versus East Texas Baptist University. He was an ASC pre-season "watch list" pick for 2017, as well.

Erwin, a defender, was named to the 2017 ASC pre-season "watch list" and was an ASC honorable mention honoree in 2016. Erwin played and started 15 games as a defender, scoring two goals. He was named all-tournament and Defensive MVP at the Hendrix College Classic and was a key reason that McMurry's team ranks No. 1 in the NCCAA in fewest goals allowed (10 / 0.63 p.g..) and goals against average (0.60), as well as second in shutouts (9). Behind Erwin, McM opponents average less than 10 total shots per game and just 4.8 shots on goal per game. Erwin had a team-best 1,247 minutes played and is a three-year starter for the War Hawks, as well.

Lara played in all 16 matches for McMurry, starting 15. He was named all-tournament at the Hendrix College Classic. On the year, Lara led the McM team in assists (3), total shots (39) and match-winning goals (2). He ranked second on War Hawks in goals (4), shots on goal (15) and played 1,074 minutes. Lara had an efficient a shots on-goal average of .385 and is a three-year starter.

Sanchez played in and started all 16 matches for McMurry. Like teammates Erwin and Lara, Sanchez was named all-tournament at the Hendrix College Classic, scoring the match-winning goal versus host Hendrix. His one assist came on the match-winner as McMurry defeated NCAA III No. 21-ranked Mary Hardin-Baylor. Sanchez was third on the team with 29 shots, 14 of which were on-goal. Sanchez was also a picked on the ASC pre-season "watch list."

Sczech led the War Hawks team in scoring with six goals and one assist, good for 13 points. Szcech had two match-winning goals. His winners came versus East Texas Baptist and Hardin-Simmons. Sczech put better than 53 percent of his shots directly on-goal. He was used primarily off of McM head coach Tyler Tarango's bench, appearing in 15 matches with one start.

"I am very proud of these guys and it was great to see their hard work rewarded," Tarango said. "But even more than the awards, I think it shows that there is a new respect for McMurry men's soccer around the league. That's something we intend to build on for the future."