LAREDO, Texas – Just three days after writing program history by soaring from an unranked preseason position to No. 6 in the nation, Texas A&M International University achieved another first on Friday in Laredo with the hosting of its TAMIU Men's Soccer Fall Invitational presented by WestWind Homes. With St. Mary's, Eastern New Mexico and No. 20 Fort Lewis College in town for the three-day, four-match affair, South Central Regional and potentially postseason implications hugely came into play.
The Dustdevils (3-0-0, 0-0-0 Heartland) opened play against the Greyhounds (1-3-0) under dark and rainy skies in a Heartland Conference-versus-Lone Star Conference showdown. The weather impeded both teams and ultimately played a role in the deciding goal as sophomore Ryan Hodgson conjured his third goal in as many matches for the 1-0 TAMIU victory.
"With its regional impact, this was a very high-quality win for us against a top class opponent," TAMIU coach Claudio Arias said. "Matches like these are important to any team: they show that you can compete outside of your comfort zone with uncontrollable conditions like difficult weather.
"Having a player of (Hodgson's) quality at the top of you attack doesn't hurt at all. With the service he's receiving from the team and his timing, he's been unable to miss."
The 2013 Heartland Freshman of the Year and first team All-Conference forward from Sunderland, England, gilded the victory in the 26th minute when the ENMU backline flummoxed itself by errantly allowing a pass to find Hodgson's boots. In an appetizing 1-on-1 with Greyhounds goalkeeper James Gutierrez, the Dustdevils' Englishman elevated his team from just beyond the 6-yard box.
Senior Jovany Macias spilled four shots on ENMU, with Hodgson punching a pair of attempts goalward and Aaron Zuniga also took a chance.
The solitary goal stood sturdy through the remaining 65 minutes despite ENMU's potent efforts. The Greyhounds outshot the Dustdevils 10-7, with a 3-2 on-target advantage.
Emotions escalated with the slick conditions climaxing with fiercely fast tackles flying in. A total five cautions were issued – with four yellow cards falling in the second half.
TAMIU keeper Salomon Moctezume claimed the clean sheet with a trio of saves to shrink his goals-allowed average to a sleek 0.67. It was his first career shutout as his winning streak bulged to three matches.
Later on Friday, St. Mary's unended No. 20 Fort Lewis College, 2-1.
That result sets up the TAMIU Men's Soccer Fall Invitational presented by WestWind Home's final day, on Sunday, as StMU and ENMU open play at 11 a.m. and No. 6 TAMIU hosts No. 20 FLC at 1:30 p.m.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Adam Geigerman,
Sports Information Director and Promotions Specialist
956-326-3007
AdamS.Geigerman@TAMIU.edu
?www.GoDustdevils.com
