Botero's first goal of the season was a profoundly placed punchout into the top-right netting, standing as the Dustdevils (5-3-1, 1-0-0 Heartland) penalty kick taken and converted by an active goalkeeper. Botero is a natural defensive midfielder.

"This was the type of game the men needed to begin conference play with," TAMIU coach Claudio Arias said. "On the road is always a difficult way to begin conference play, but scoring four goals shows what our men are capable of at any given moment.

"We played a strong first half – to take the 4-0 lead into halftime – and could have done better in spots during the second half, but all in all it was a great way to start the conference season."

Once Botero burst the scoring bubble, goals seemed to soar into the Jets' net with graceful ease. Just five minutes after the opening goal, sophomore midfielder Joaquin Diaz delivered the first of two sniper-specific assists.

His first assist was a nodded ball that floated to the feet of Aaron Zuniga, who turned and volleyed a blast inside the far post. Less than a minute later, Diaz blistered the touchline to pinpoint a flat and feverish cross onto the forehead of Ryan Hodgson. The 2013 Heartland Conference Freshman of the Year never broke stride as he flexed his neck and hammered home his fourth goal of his sophomore campaign.

Senior Jovany Macias closed TAMIU's scoring nearly 10 minutes later, driving his dribble down the right wing before burying his fourth goal of the year.

Botero made seven saves, but lost his shutout in the 76^th minute to a Jets' goal.

The Dustdevils next travel to face Rogers State in a Heartland mid-day collision on Oct. 6 at 2:30 p.m.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Adam Geigerman,
Sports Information Director and Promotions Specialist
956-326-3007
AdamS.Geigerman@TAMIU.edu
www.GoDustdevils.com