The Fort Worth Vaqueros pulled off a major upset Saturday night when they defeated the Midland-Odessa Sockers, 2-1, on a brace by VcMor Eligwe in West Texas. The victory came after a hard-fought win on the road against the Denton Diablos in the previous round and gives the Vaqueros the Lone Star Conference Championship.

The Vaqueros next head to Oklahoma for another road playoff game against Tulsa Athletics on Tuesday.

While both games between Vaqueros and the Sockers were competitive during the regular season - and the difference between them on paper was slim - it was having to play a tough road match against the Diablos on Thursday before traveling to Midland for a Saturday game that made this game such a challenge.

Man, it was a very, very tough game," Eligwe said. "We knew coming in that we were going to face a very, very strong team. Obviously, we've played Midland already twice and we tied one, lost one so we knew we were going to be in for a battle. We knew we were going to have to battle for the full 90 and we did that today.

The game started brightly for the Sockers, though, as they had the early run of possession before the Vaqueros asserted themselves after about fifteen minutes of play. In the 16th minute, winger Anthony Powell got off a cross that found Eligwe in front of goal and the forward made no mistake.

While Midland held possession for much of the first half, it was not often dangerous until they finally broke through in the 38th minute. Ewan Mclaughlin worked his way through Fort Worth's midfield and then he made a penetrating pass to an onrushing Julio Vargas, and the Sockers' attacker slid the ball home.

We've waited all season for Vic to do that," Lovegrove said. "It's the kind of performance he's been worthy of all season. He's found himself unlucky in front of the goal but tonight is the game we needed him.

The second half started much as the first did, with Midland possessing the ball but not able to turn it into many dangerous moments, while Fort Worth was able to turn its control of the ball into quality chances. In the 67th, Cody Ellis had the ball on the right side of the Vaqueros' defense and played the ball to Jamie Lovegrove, who had come to that sideline. Lovegrove then played the ball behind the Sockers' defense where Eligwe picked it up and rounded the corner. The Midland defenders forced the Vaqueros forward towards the end line, but Eligwe took a shot from a tight angle and beat the Sockers' goalkeeper for what proved to be the winning goal.

Josemaria Oteze was substituted on for Eligwe in the 79th minute to help finish the game, and it worked. While Midland continued to possess the ball, they were rarely able to force the hero of Thursday's victory of Denton, Aamon Borjas, to make significant saves.

Fort Worth Vaqueros players pose for a photo with the NPSL Lone Star Conference trophy. (Fort Worth Vaqueros)

The win is Fort Worth's first conference championship in its history, and the team is looking to make more on Tuesday night when they travel to Oklahoma to play the Tulsa Athletics. Tulsa finished the regular season with seven wins and three ties and atop the Heartland Conference's regular season table. The Athletics beat Ozark FC 6-2 in the conference semifinals before beating the Joplin Demize, 2-0, on Saturday.