Warriors Men's Soccer Knocks off Dallas Christian in Pool Play

The Nelson Warriors Men's Soccer team (8-6-3, 1-0-0) kicked off their 2025 NCCAA National Championship pool play in style, dismantling the Dallas Christian College Crusaders 5-1 behind another masterful performance from freshman sensation Pablo Pulido.

Pulido wasted no time reminding everyone why he's one of the most dangerous attackers in the country, bagging his fourth hat trick of the season with two first-half strikes at 22' (unassisted) and 28' (assisted by Parker Lindhart) to stake the Warriors to a comfortable 2-0 lead which they would hold through to the break.

Playing with a comfortable lead allowed the Warriors to play relaxed, which in turn helped the Warriors record the most incredible three minutes of the inaugural program's young history.

Just seven minutes after the restart, Parker Linhart opened the blitz at 52:44, finishing a razor-sharp pass from Joemar Valenzuela, then doubled his tally just 61 seconds later (lest you forget – the clock does not stop after a goal) with a solo effort. Before the crowd even had a chance to fully contemplate the events of the previous sixty seconds, the Nelson attack once again sliced through the Crusaders' defense, with a spectacular finish by Pulido who completed his hat trick at 55:59, sending the Warrior faithful into a frenzy and effectively ending the contest.

Dallas Christian substitute keeper Cristiano Castillo, who entered at halftime after starter Joshua Quintero faced just two shots (both goals), was under siege the rest of the way. The Crusaders managed a late consolation goal from Anthony Tranquiliano at 88:11, spoiling the clean sheet, but it was far too little, too late.

Nelson's goalkeeping duo of Jonathan Garza and Jason Lugo Munoz stood tall when called upon, with Garza turning away all six shots he faced in a valiant 82:12 shift. The Warriors out-shot Dallas Christian 20-18 overall, and both teams placed 14 attempts on target in a wild, end-to-end second half.

With the dominant four-goal victory, Nelson sits atop their pool and one win away from advancing to the NCCAA National Semifinals. Up next, tomorrow, December 3, at 3pm, the Warriors face 1-seed Grace College who sits one-goal behind Nelson for the pool lead, and a spot in the semifinals.

For information on how to watch or follow the play-by-play of this match, click here.

The Warriors are rolling, and the nation is officially on notice.

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