McKinney Chupacabras 1-2 Texoma FC
McKinney Chupacabras 0-2 Texoma FC
Texoma Claims Ranger Division Title With 2–1 Victory Over McKinney
McKinney Chupacabras FC controlled much of the opening half and created numerous scoring opportunities, but Texoma FC made the most of its chances to claim the Ranger Division title with a 2–1 victory Saturday night at Ron Poe Stadium.
The winner-take-all regular-season finale sent Texoma (9–3–0) to the USL League Two playoffs, while McKinney completed its inaugural Ranger Division campaign with a 7–3–2 record.
The Chupacabras finished third in the division with 23 points, while Texoma secured the championship with 27 points in its first USL League Two season following its move from USL League One.
McKinney threatened from the opening minutes, earning a corner kick in the second minute before creating several dangerous opportunities throughout the first half.
Defender Ty Reynolds found Brayden Beason with a cross in the 11th minute, and Beason quickly set up Tucker Eason for a quality chance, but Texoma goalkeeper Jake Morris made the save.
Morris continued to frustrate the Chupacabras midway through the half, leaping to collect Ben Mulrooney’s header near the crossbar before denying Beason on a breakaway in the 22nd minute. Beason’s heavy touch allowed the goalkeeper to race off his line and smother the opportunity.
Beason tested Morris twice more in the 34th minute, first after receiving a pass from Reynolds inside the penalty area and then with a header from a cross, but the Texoma goalkeeper turned away both attempts.
Despite McKinney’s sustained pressure, Texoma struck first.
Forward Parker Plaxco found the back of the net in the 35th minute for his division-leading 10th goal of the season, giving the visitors a 1–0 advantage.
“It’s a game of missed chances, to be honest,” McKinney head coach Frank Yallop said. “You have to punish teams when they give you chances. If you don’t, this is what happens.”
The Chupacabras answered just before halftime.
Sam Jones delivered a corner kick that Evan Lupo headed across the goalmouth toward Mulrooney, who nodded home the equalizer in the second minute of first-half stoppage time.
Texoma emerged with renewed energy after the break and regained the lead in the 52nd minute when midfielder Aiden O’Toole fired a shot from just outside the penalty area into the back of the net.
McKinney searched for another equalizer but struggled to recreate the quality of chances it had generated during the opening half.
The Chupacabras’ best opportunity came in the 79th minute when Vitor Geromel’s low shot beat Morris but struck the right post and ricocheted back into the goalkeeper’s hands.
“We could’ve scored at least five,” Yallop said. “Should’ve probably won the game, but they’re going to say, ‘Well, you didn’t finish your chances,’ and they’re right.
“I don’t think you can play any better and not win.”
Texoma appeared to add an insurance goal late in the match, but the effort was disallowed for offside.
The visitors successfully saw out the closing minutes to secure the Ranger Division championship and advance to the USL League Two postseason.
“It’s tough to take, to be honest,” Yallop said. “Just disappointing we didn’t win tonight. For them to win that game, it’s tough to take, but that’s soccer. We’ve got to finish our chances.”
Yallop congratulated Texoma after the match before turning his attention to what McKinney accomplished during its inaugural Ranger Division campaign.
“Good luck to Texoma in the playoffs. They’re a very good team,” Yallop said. “The future is bright for our team.”
Words by Grayson Pitts.
Edited by Elliott Stockdale.