LAREDO, Texas (October 26, 2017) – Rodrigo and
Aaron Zuniga both scored as the Dustdevils moved one step closer to the fourth-seed in the Heartland Conference Championships in a 2-1 victory over Dallas Baptist on Thursday night at Dustdevil Soccer Field. The win improves the Dustdevils to 9-4-2 and 8-4-1 in Heartland Conference play while DBU falls to 7-9-1 (4-8-1).
The Dustdevils outshot DBU 14-7, including 12-4 in the second half as
Rodrigo Zuniga and
Rafael Montabes had a match-high four shots.
Carlos Herrera (8-2-2) made two saves moving into third for most wins in a single season in program history
Michael Iskander had the Dustdevils best chance of the first half getting on the end of a cross from
Elias Perales at 18:14 but shot it straight at DBU's Tyler Hoffman.
The Dustdevils had a prime opportunity just seven minutes into the second half after Montabes blocked shot fell to the foot of
Rodrigo Zuniga whose first attempt was blocked before sending the second over the crossbar.
Aaron Zuniga put the Dustdevils up 1-0 in the 57:17 on his first goal of the season and sixth of his career. He won a 50/50 ball near midfield before beating two defenders down the left side with his shot on goal bouncing off a DBU defender into the back of the net.
Montabes had a golden opportunity to make it 2-0 at 62:41 but his shot from the top of the box went off R. Zuniga for a DBU goal kick. R. Zuniga had a chance of his own a minute later but his shot curved wide right on a one-on-one with Hoffman.
R. Zuniga made it five goals in three matches in the 73
rd after getting a lucky touch on a pass from Iskander inside the box before burying it into the back of the net. The Laredo, Texas product has now scored five of the last seven goals for the Dustdevils.
The Patriots got a late goal on a free kick from Ethan Martinez to bring the Patriots within one but DBU went down to 10 men shortly after ruining any chance of a comeback.
The Dustdevils will host St. Mary's on the final day of the regular season, Oct. 28,where six seniors will be honored. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m.
