Hilltoppers fall in closing minutes to TAMU-International, 2-1
LAREDO, Texas - The St. Edward's men's soccer team dropped a 2-1 heartbreaker to Texas A&M-International Friday evening at Dustdevil Field.
TAMU-International (6-8-3, 5-2-2 HC) opened the scoring in the 20th minute when the Dustdevils were awarded a penalty kick. Roy Hernandez took the penalty kick and put it past Hilltopper goalkeeper Matt Moore for a 1-0 lead.
That is the way it would stay until the halftime break.
In the second half, St. Edward's (7-8-2, 7-2 HC) scored the tying goal in the 48th minute when the Hilltoppers received a free kick. Sophomore Terry Stewart took the kick and found senior Scott Strickland. The Dallas, Texas native, then redirected the ball to senior Bryan VanCura who headed it into the goal from five yards out to knot the match, 1-1.
The Hilltoppers had a two golden chances to take the lead, with the first coming in the 65th minute when senior John Calandro had a shot that was headed for the back of the net, but Dustdevil goalkeeper Luis Rincon was there to knock to safety. In the 82nd minute, senior Josh Nannen sent on a shot on goal and hit the post.
With time winding down, the Dustdevils got a goal from Theo Brown in the 85th minute on an assist from Carlos Garcia.
St. Edward's outshot TAMU-International, 17-16, and had 10 shots on goal compared to eight for the Dustdevils.
Moore finished with six saves on the evening and Dustdevil goalkeeper Luis Rincon had nine saves.
The Hilltoppers will end the regular season on Sunday when they travel to San Antonio to take on long-time rival St. Mary's. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. and the match will be broadcasted by Grant Sanregret on the Hilltopper Athletic Website.