SAN ANTONIO, Texas (October 7, 2017) – The Texas A&M International University men's soccer team was unable to overcome a slow start as they dropped a 2-0 decision at the hands of St. Mary's on Saturday afternoon in San Antonio. TAMIU allowed two goals for just the second time this season as they drop to 5-3-2 and 4-3-1 in Heartland Conference play while the Ratllers improve to 7-4-1 (5-3-1).
 
Rafael Montabes had a team-high four shots while Alan Rivera had three of his own as TAMIU was outshot 14-11. Josh Jones (1-1-0) making his second start of the season made six saves while facing 14 shots.
 
The Dustdevils went down 2-0 in the first five minutes courtesy of goals from StMU's Nena Markovic and Pato Botello Faz. The Rattlers continued to pressure the TAMIU defense with Ollie Wright having two chances in the ninth minute to make it three for the home side but Jones denied him on both occasions.
 
Alan Rivera had TAMIU's best opportunity in the first half in the 25th minute when the Dustdevils were award a penalty kick. The Phoenix, Arizona native entered the match a perfect 3-of-3 from the penalty spot this season but was denied by StMU's Gerard Roebuck.
 
Botello Faz came close to making 3-0 in the first minute of the second half but his long rang shot went off the right post. TAMIU's Jones was called upon again to  make a save on Tommy Fogarty-Cameron in the 51^st minute keeping the Dustdevils comeback hopes alive.
 
The Dustdevils were close to making in a one-goal match in the 60^th minute but Roebuck made an impressive save at the far post to deny Rodrigo Zuniga after a nice long ball from Andres Ogaz. They had another chance five minutes later but Aaron Alvarez sent his shot inside the penalty area over the crossbar.
 
TAMIU's final chance of the match came in the 71^st minute but Montaves was unable to beat Roebuck as the Dustdevils loss to the Rattlers for the first time in the last four matches.
 
The Dustdevils will hit the road one last time this season with matches against Lubbock Christian (Oct. 12,) and UT Permain Basin (Oct. 14) before finishing the season with four-straight at the friendly confines of Dustdevil Soccer Field.