BROWNWOOD, Texas - Roger Bonilla capped an impressive overall performance for the Howard Payne Men's Soccer team when he scored the golden goal in the final seconds of a two overtime contest. The goal would give the Yellow Jackets (1-0-0) the 2-1 victory over the University of Dallas (0-1-0) on Saturday afternoon to collect their first win of the season. 

Freshmen forward Jonpaul Vargas scored his first career goal in the contest while sophomore midfielder Roger Bonilla also collected his first career goal, though in clutch fashion. Andrew Hackney and Nicholas Panameno split time in goal for Howard Payne with Hackney staying in the game for the two overtime periods. They combined for five saves (four for Hackney, one for Panameno) while facing a total of six shots on goal.

Under the direction of coach Eanna O'Gorman, who was coaching in his first game, the Jackets tallied the victory despite being outshot 16-10. The Crusaders came out energized and set the tempo early, striking on a penalty kick in the 35th minute that allowed the University of Dallas to pull ahead early, but the Jackets would keep fighting.

Tracer Moore had a good strike on goal in the 28th minute of the first half but was unable to sneak it past the goalkeeper to tie it up. James Ryan Cook followed with an impressive cross that sailed just a little high of the goal in the closing minutes of the first half. The Jackets would head into the half trailing, 0-1 while being outshot 5-4.

Howard Payne came out of the half with an energy and enthusiasm that helped to put them on the attack nearly the entire second half. Michael Westerman had a nice shot on goal from center field in the 39th minute and Bonilla would follow with another shot on goal shortly after to help set the tone for the half. Bonilla's shot hit the cross post but was right on frame and helped to give the Jackets the confidence to overcome the 0-1 deficit.

Shortly thereafter, Dylan Person placed a beautiful kick down the right side of the field that found Jonpaul Vargas open in the box to give him the perfect position and he placed the ball firmly in the back of the net to score the game back up at 1-1 a piece. After the shock of the goal wore off, the two sides played each other evenly throughout the rest of the match to force overtime.

Tracer Moore was rewarded with a penalty kick in the third minute of the second overtime that almost snuck past the goalkeeper for a goal and from that point forward, Howard Payne was on the attack. It all culminated with Roger Bonilla's goal in the final seconds of what appeared to be a 1-1 draw. 

Daniel Lemus found Bonilla with a beautiful, well-placed pass in space to help set up the game-winning goal in the waning seconds of the second overtime. The goal shocked the Crusaders and brought the sizable Howard Payne contingent to its feet as the Yellow Jackets took the contest, 2-1 in dramatic fashion. 

The win is Howard Payne's first of the season and they will next play host to Jarvis Christian College at Citizens National Bank Field Next Thursday the 7th. Game time is slated for 4:30 PM and live stats can be found at HPUSports.com. Don't forget to follow Howard Payne Athletics on all your favorite social media platforms. We are on Twitter @HPUmsoc, and Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and Snapchat, @HPUSports