Sept. 23, 2011
Final Stats
In the first meeting of nationally ranked opponents at Dustdevil Field, the Texas A&M International men's soccer team couldn't reverse their recent streak of bad luck versus their former conference foe Incarnate Word. The Dustdevils were unable to overcome a three-goal first half by the Cardinals and dropped their first match of the season in a 4-2 loss. The game was a physical one producing 35 fouls including seven yellow cards.
"I think we learned a very important lesson tonight" said Head Coach Claudio Arias. "We can't make mistakes against quality teams. I didn't feel like they had any opportunities outside the ones we gave them."
Callum Riley spearheaded the UIW attack finishing with a hat trick while Jesus Cortez added one goal. The loss snaps TAMIU's five-game undefeated streak and drops TAMIU's all time record versus the Cardinals to 2-10-1.
Sophomore Arturo Gutierrez had an outstanding night for the Dustdevils, finishing with one goal on three attempted shots. Senior Luis Salas scored the team's second goal and also finished with one assist. Keeper Emmanuelle Frias finished with three saves on the night.
Riley put UIW on the board only seven minutes into the game using a nifty start-and-stop move to create space, then bending a shot into the upper corner of the net past TAMIU keeper Emmanuel Frias. Four minutes later Gutierrez evened the match at one using a well timed header taking a cross from Salas.
In the 16th minute Riley would strike again. Jesus Cortez broke free in the box but was denied thanks to a brilliant save by Frias. The ball would ricochet off the keeper's chest to a waiting Riley who hammered home the rebound. Cortez added to the Cardinals lead in the 23rd minute with another booming shot putting UIW up 3-1.
In the 31st minute the Dustdevils were given new life when Salas was taken down hard in the Cardinals box and was awarded a penalty kick. With plenty of confidence, Salas was able to find the back of the net and bring TAMIU within one goal at the half.
Within 22 seconds of the second half whistle, Riley put the game out of reach outrunning two TAMIU defenders and chipping the ball over the keepers head.
The Dustdevils fall to 2-1 in conference play (4-1-1 overall) as they prepare for another difficult test versus St. Edwards (3-2-0) on Sunday, a team ranked 7th in the South Central region. Kick off for Sunday's game is at 8 p.m.
