Ranger dominates Western Texas to claim conference title

SYNDER -- All that was standing between Ranger College and its first outright conference championship in men's soccer was the only team to beat the Rangers in conference play, Western Texas. In their previous meeting, RC saw its three-goal lead slip away in the final minutes of the match. They were determined not to let that happen again, Ranger jumped out early, again, but this time kept adding to its lead on the way to a 5-1 conference championship-clinching win.

"My goal for them all along was to have a winning team, not just to win games that we should win, but win conference games and be in first place," said Ranger head coach Rafael Gonzalez. "I am very excited for this team and thankful for this opportunity."

Rangers' biggest strength this season has been the ability to put the ball in the back of the net and no one has done that more frequently than Kyle Edwards. Wednesday was no different, Edwards scored two more goals coming off his four-goal outing on Monday.

"We have a lot of confidence in each other. I believe we have a lot of talented and skillful players from all over the world and we have developed that confidence as a team that has enabled us to beat other good teams," Gonzalez said. 

Chris Harrison also scored a pair of goals. Jose Mario scored as well. 

Ranger finished the regular season with a 7-2 overall record and 3-1 in Region V North play. They earned a first-round bye in the upcoming regional tournament and will play the winner of the Hill and Western Texas semifinal matchup Wednesday in the championship match.

That match will take place in Cleburne at 7 p.m.