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LAREDO, Texas – A total 10 cards flew from the official’s pocket in Texas A&M International’s hosting of the University of Texas at Brownsville on Saturday at the TAMIU Soccer Complex. The unceremonious amount of bookings for a non-conference game led to the Dustdevils’ 3-1 via the Ocelots in several ways.
Senior midfielder Sam Zerilli was cautioned twice – in the 28th and 87th minute – which resulted in a red-card ejection and subsequent 1-match suspension, while Crystal Zapien (28th) and TAMI goalkeepers coach Emmanuel “Bebo” Frias were booked as well. Frias was yellow-carded for simply requesting an explanation on a call by center official Wanda Porter.
TAMIU’s Emily Behnke was booked twice (27th and 87th minutes) but wasn’t ejected for the pair of yellows.
The flurry of cards caused confusion and disoriented the competitors on the field, with the match quickly cascading into disarray.
The Ocelots (11-2) saw Hanne Neby open the scoring in the 40th minute off an assist from Nelleke Smits. Smits scored her own in the 56th minute off a helper from Isadora Frietas, and Maria Eriksen scored in the 74th minute when Shauna Peare fed her an assist.
Zerilli pulled one back for the Dustdevils (2-11) off a free kick from just right of center and about 25 yards out. Zerilli beat the keeper for her fourth goal of the season.
The Dustdevils return to Heartland Conference action on Monday at St. Mary’s in San Antonio. The match kicks off at 2:30 p.m.
