LAREDO, Texas — If 2012 was any indicator for what the Texas A&M International women's soccer team is capable of, the world of NCAA Division II better be on its guard.
After losing its 2012 season opener 2-0 to then-ranked No. 16 Central Oklahoma, the Dustdevils wrote history by amassing its highest-ever totals in single season wins (11), conference wins in a season (5), longest win streak (7 matches), goals (37), assists (27) and points (101) earned in a season.
This year, the Dustdevils suffered a season-opening loss to the University of the Incarnate Word, a NCAA Division I opponent, on the Cardinals' home turf in San Antonio. That 6-0 loss served as an initial baptism by fire for the Dustdevils, who now must recalibrate and focus on their next two matches – both of which come this weekend at the Kim Yeatts Memorial Classic hosted by St. Edward's in Austin with matches on Friday and Sunday.
The Dustdevils (0-1, 0-0 Heartland Conference) will face Texas Women's University on Friday at 11 a.m. and Southern Nazarene University on Sunday with a 9 a.m. kickoff.
TAMIU doesn't open its home season at the TAMIU Soccer Complex until Sept. 27 against Heartland rival St. Mary's.
The Dustdevils were picked third in the 2013 Heartland Conference preseason poll, the highest ever selection for the program. The conference's selections, voted on by conference head coaches and sports information directors, identically reflected last season's finish with defending Heartland champion St. Edward's picked first and Dallas Baptist selected second.
Before finishing 11-7-1 (5-4-1 Heartland) in 2012, TAMIU had never finished higher than fifth place in the annual preseason poll and was voted last place in all but one — a six-year run that stretches to the program's first year in NCAA Division II.
The team will return local product and United High alumna Karina Garcia, whose freshman season in 2012 ranked as the program's sixth-best with six goals scored. The sophomore forward is also tied for the program's 10th-most shots (22) after just one season.
The 2013 roster features several returners from its barrier-breaking 2012, including Paige Johnson, Garcia, Laura Twinem, Sam Zerilli, Rosalia Pujols Burgos, Claudia de Lara, Alyssa Perez, Kim Garcia, Cynthia Cervantes, Crystal Zapien, Katelin Jennings, and Georgette Galvan.
Zerilli was cautioned in the 87th minute of the match against Incarnate Word. Perez and Twinem were the only two Dustdevils to register shots in that match, with Perez shooting in the first half and Twinem in the second. Both shots were saved by UIW's keeper.
Laredo products on the teamsheet include Galvan – a sophomore out of Alexander – and a quartet of former United High Lady Longhorns in Karina Garcia, Yazmin Garza, Stephanie Hernandez and Anna Martinez.
