Brazos Valley Cavalry

2023 US Open Cup Round 1: Tulsa Athletic misses two PKs, holds on for 1-0 win over Brazos Valley Cavalry

March 23, 2023 by Tim Hanson

Stefan Cvetanovic (left) of Tulsa Athletic scored the lone goal of the match against Brazos Valley Cavalry in the First Round of the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Randy Randolph

Tulsa Athletic gets another crack at local professional side FC Tulsa as the hosts defeated USL League Two side Brazos Valley Cavalry (Texas) FC, 1-0, in the First Round of the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on Wednesday night at Hicks Park.

Despite missing two penalties, Tulsa Athletic took a 1-0 advantage in the 31st minute of action when Tulsa newcomer Stefan Cvetanovic took the ball away from a Brazo defender. Cvetanovic hit a strike to the near post and put the green and yellow up 1-0 in the first half.

“He’s just a brilliant player,” Tulsa Athletic head coach Jason Rogers said of Cvetanovic, who was a first-team NAIA All-American at Oklahoma Wesleyan last season. “He can score unbelievable goals so we are very happy to have him.”

It only took one. Here’s a clip of Stefan Cvetanovc’s goal in the 1-0 victory in the First Round of the US Open Cup – https://t.co/yjOYY6tTgU
— Tulsa Athletic (@TTownSoccer) March 23, 2023

With the win, Tulsa Athletic’s second straight in the first round after defeating Azteca (Colo.) FC, 3-0, last year in Tulsa, the green and yellow play host to FC Tulsa on April 5 at 7 p.m. at Hicks Park. The Tulsa Derby is a rematch from last year’s Second Round match where FC Tulsa defeated Tulsa Athletic 2-1 at ONEOK Field in Tulsa.

“It feels good to get that first win,” Rogers said. “I’ll take the win, and let’s get ready for the next round.”

Brazos Valley Cavalry, who won the Lone Star Division of USL League Two last year, played without any substitutes as the Texas side traveled only 11 players. And Brazos played the final few minutes with only 10 men after a second yellow card was issued to Kyle Davis.

Toby Moore caught up with Head Coach Jason Rogers after his first win in the green and yellow. Hear what he had to say in this postgame interview. https://t.co/larxCmDv5s
— Tulsa Athletic (@TTownSoccer) March 23, 2023

Tulsa earned their first penalty after midfielder Joe Garcia was taken down in the box in the 28th minute. Garcia stepped up to take the penalty, but Brazos goalkeeper Victor Villarreal made a kick save to keep the match scoreless.

The second penalty opportunity for Tulsa came in the 63rd minute after a handball. Tulsa’s Jordan Watson’s strike went high and over the goal as the green and yellow went 0-2 from the spot in the match.

Chris Taylor was named our Man of the Match last night after the 1-0 win. Here’s his postgame interview with TATV – https://t.co/7Rk3wyoDf0 #TTID
— Tulsa Athletic (@TTownSoccer) March 23, 2023

Tulsa’s Bryson Reed earned the shutout win in goal, totaling five saves in 90 minutes.

“Bryson is special,” Rogers said. “He’s the best goalkeeper in Tulsa. I can tell you that.”

Tulsa’s back three defense of Chris Taylor, Alejandro Chavez and Javier Reyes helped keep the pressure off Reed in the back.

“Javo and Ale on the right and left did a wonderful job 1-v-1 tonight,” Taylor said. “They proved their value in many opportunities”

Villareal from Bravos Valley finished with four saves in 90 minutes.

2019 US Open Cup Round 1: Laredo Heat defeats Brazos Valley Cavalry on 2nd half PK

May 12, 2019 by Jake Sillick

Players from the Laredo Heat and Brazos Valley Cavalry battle for the ball in the First Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Laredo Heat

In a physical game at Texas A&M International University, the Laredo Heat defeated Brazos Valley Cavalry 1-0 on a second half penalty kick by Francois Sakou. Both sides would finish the match with 10 men but the Cavalry would be unable to find an equalizer. With the win, Laredo advances to take on San Antonio FC (USL Championship) in the Second Round next week.

For most of the first half, Laredo had the majority of chances, coming close early on in the 6th minute, but just couldn’t keep any shots on target. Laredo would outshoot Brazos Valley 11-1 in the first half.

The second half started with most of the same from Laredo, getting more chances but still not many shots being on target.

It was a tight contest between @LaredoHeatSC and @BVCavalryFC in some 1st round ACTION!⚽ @LaredoHeatSC earns the win 1-0 & will advance to the 2nd round to take on @SanAntonioFC!?#USOC2019 | ? Game Highlights ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/1thFxAuFEG

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 8, 2019

In the 58th minute, Laredo was awarded a penalty kick after a scramble in the box from a corner kick. Ivan Leon of Brazos Valley clipped Abraham Contreras during the struggle and was given a card for the challenge. Sakou stepped up in the 60th minute putting the penalty to the bottom left corner past Andy Rios.

Brazos Valley would dig themselves a deeper hole just six minutes later when Leon would get his second yellow card for a professional foul stopping a Laredo counter in the 66th minute.

However, that advantage would only last 10 minutes for Laredo before they also had a man sent off in the 76th minute. Luis Hincapie would launch himself for a studs up late challenge on the far touchline at midfield. That would result in his second yellow card of the match sending him to the locker room early.

Late in the match, Brazos Valley would have some chances to equalize but it would not come. Laredo held on that 1-0 win.

Laredo, who is participating in the tournament for the first time since 2015, advances beyond the team’s opening round game for the fifth consecutive tournament. Only Reading United AC (7) and the Michigan Bucks (6) have longer streaks among all Open Division teams in the Modern Era (1995-present)