Box Score {cke_protected}{C}{cke_protected}{C}{cke_protected}{C}
LAREDO, Texas – It took all of regulation’s 90 minutes and seven of overtime to decide Monday’s mid-afternoon Heartland Conference match between Newman and Texas A&M International. It was the host Dustdevils (4-5-1, 2-0-0 Heartland) that edged the Jets (0-9-0, 0-2-0), 2-1, for their second consecutive victory at the TAMIU Soccer Complex.
A senior – Diego Manzano-Cano – sparked the score for the Dustdevils, snagging an early lead with a 40th minute nod job into Newman’s net. He received a sniper-specific cross from fellow senior Yamin Olavarrieta, with which he headed home from inside the 18-yard box. The goal stands as Manzano-Cano’s fourth of the Spaniard’s senior season after netting seven as an All-Heartland Conference and All-Region honoree last year.
The assist was Olavarrieta’s first of the season. The starting full back featured in a physical role against the Jets’ offensive threats, to complement his helpful offensive output.
But it was TAMIU’s English freshman, Ryan Hodgson, that again played a starring role in the Dustdevils’ dramatics.
After allowing a devastating equalizer with just 10 seconds left in regulation, TAMIU reclaimed the victory that appeared so apparent via the golden goal in the first overtime period. Seconds after substituting into the match, Oscar Pompa played a beautifully weighted ball into the 6-yard box from the far sideline. Hodgson needed only to redirect the cross for it to flush into the visitor’s net.
It was Hodgson’s fourth tally of his freshman season and his second game-winning strike. Both Hodgson and Manzano-Cano lead the Dustdevils with four goals apiece.
In the 90th minute, it was Newman’s Noel Torres that headed the then-equalizer into TAMIU goalkeeper Jesus Cisneros’ net. Kevin Crafton was credited with the assist after toeing a 20-yard cross into the Dustdevils penaly box. The strike erased Cisneros’ bid for a second consecutive clean sheet.
The Dustdevils will take their perfect Heartland record on the road for six consecutive road matches through October, first facing the University of Texas of the Permian Basin on Oct. 12 at 6 p.m. They return home for Senior Day on Nov. 2 against St. Edward’s at 5 p.m.
