LAREDO, Texas – A two-hour inclement weather delay forced Saturday's Heartland Conference meeting between Texas A&M International University and Dallas Baptist into a 9:30 p.m. start time, but it couldn't quiet the Dustdevils' dynamic attack. TAMIU led from the ninth minute and never looked back in a 3-1 victory at the TAMIU Soccer Complex.
"The team played well, despite the weather," TAMIU coach Claudio Arias said. "The delay was just one more thing to adapt to, but the boys did well and competed to our standards – even with some key players out of the match.
"Everything is working for us, from the backline to our finishing and we want to ride that as far as we can."
The Dustdevils scored 11 goals in their last three matches – including four by senior midfielder Jovany Macias and three by Eduardo Gonzalez. Both the Laredo products scored on Saturday as well.
Gonzalez opened the onslaught with a searing side volley in the ninth minute. A Norman Ramos shot deflected off the DBU goalkeeper before meeting Gonzalez's swinging shoe.
The lead lasted until the 64th minute. Angel Robles centered a crisp cross to Macias, who buried his finish for his fourth goal in two matches.
Twenty minutes later, Juan Espinal scored his debut goal just 90 seconds after entering as a substitute. Tayeb Ahmadi primed him perfectly, allowing Espinal to punch the Dustdevils' final goal inside the far post.
Goalkeeper Salomon Moctezuuma and the Dustdevils lost their clean sheet in the 88th minute, but DBU's comeback fizzled.
The Dustdevils next host Oklahoma Christian on Monday at 2:30 p.m. at the TAMIU Soccer Complex.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Adam Geigerman,
Sports Information Director and Promotions Specialist
956-326-3007
AdamS.Geigerman@TAMIU.edu
?www.GoDustdevils.com
