LIVE STATS | VIDEO | MATCH NOTES

LAREDO, Texas (September 12, 2017) – The Texas A&M International University men's soccer team opens its 2017 Heartland Conference campaign on Thursday, Sept. 14, against No. 23 St. Edward's in Austin. Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m. at Lewis Chen Family Field.
 
The Dustdevils enter Thursday's match with a record of 1-0-1 after defeating UC-Colorado Springs and battling to a draw with Fort Lewis during the first weekend of the season. The Hilltoppers  (3-1-0, 0-0-0) are ranked 23rd in the latest United Soccer Coaches National Poll after dropping their first match of this season this past weekend.
 
A link for live stats and video can be found at GoDustdevils.com under the men's soccer schedule page. Follow the Dustdevils on Instagram and Twitter for an in-depth look into the program and the latest scores and updates.
 
A LOOK AT THE ALL-TIME SERIES
The Dustdevils and Hilltoppers will face off for the 24^th time on Thursday night. It will mark the 13^th time they have playing in Austin as SEU leads the series 15-4-4. The Hilltoppers have won the last eight matches in the series with the Dustdevils last win coming in Oct. 30, 2011 in a 2-1 decision in Austin.
 
LOOK AT THE HILLTOPPERS
Brian Young (139-84-26) has built the Hilltoppers into one of the top soccer programs in the nation since taking over in 2004. SEU has finished lower than third in the Heartland Conference just three times during his 14-year tenure while making a pair of NCAA Sweet 16 appearances over the past three seasons.
 
The Hilltoppers enter Thursday's match with an overall record of 3-1-0 after splitting two games up in Colorado last weekend. They suffered their first setback against nationally ranked Colorado Mesa in Grand Junction before defeating Fort Lewis 1-0 on Sunday.
 
Offensively, SEU is led by junior Dylan Armstrong who has scored in all three wins this seasons including the game-winner against FLC. He has been clinical in front of goal this season with half of his team-high 12 shots being on-target. Joining Armstrong up top is senior Pablo Covarrubias who missed some time last season with injury. The Guadalajara, Mexico native has yet to find the back of the net this season but ranks second on the team in shots (10) and shots on goal (4). He led the team in goals as a sophomore in 2015 with nine while also contributing five assists.
 
Grant Mobley, Daniel Wakeham and Julian Sanchez have been the featured midfielders this season. Mobley is one of three Hilltoppers to have scored at least while Wakeham ranks first on the team with one assist. Sanchez, a senior from Corpus Christi, adds experience to the team after starting in all 22 matches in 2016.
 
The Hilltoppers have had one of the best defenses in the nation over the past few seasons and this year should be no different. All-Americans Ty Mobley and Owain Hoskins return for their senior seasons anchoring another solid defensive backline. Mobley isn't only a great defender but also makes the most of his chances in front of goal already putting his name on the score sheet. Hoskins much like Mobley has been a featured piece on defense since joining the program in 2014. The Southampton, England native also has a knack for scoring game-winning goals including an absolute beautiful volley against West Texas A&M in last year's Heartland Conference Tournament Semifinals.
 
William Tuffin is the goalkeeper of choice for SEU after sitting out last year as a redshirt. The Birmingham, England native has played well so far this season after being tasked with replacing former All-American keeper Kevin Leib. He has made 12 saves so far for a .800 save percentage while also recording two shutouts.
 
ISKANDER LOOKS TO POWER DUSTDEVIL OFFENSE
After two matches, Michael Iskander has been one of the bright spots on the offensive side of the ball for the Dustdevils. The senior scored TAMIU's only goal of the season in their 1-0 win over UCCS in the season opener picking up his first career game-winner. He also sits atop the team rankings with six shots along with Alan Rivera and Rafael Montabes.
 
HERRERA HONORED FOR BACK-TO-BACK SHUTOUTS
Junior goalkeeper Carlos Herrera was named the Heartland Conference Defensive Player of the Week after helping the Dustdevils earn back-to-back shutouts during the first weekend of the season. The San Leandro, Calif. native made seven saves as the Dustdevils shutout out back-to-back opponents for the first time since 2012.
 
NUMBER CRUNCH
- The Dustdevils enter Thursday's match looking to record three consecutive shutouts since 2012 and first time in conference play since 2005.
- TAMIU last defeated a ranked team on the road on Sept. 27, 2015 with a 3-0 thumping of No. 11 Fort Hays State. A win over the Hilltoppers would be the program's first victory over a ranked opponent during conference play.
- Claudio Arias is one win shy of 120 for his career at TAMIU with a record of 119-95-21.
 
HEARTLAND IN THE RANKINGS
The Heartland Conference is represented by SEU and Midwestern State in the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II Men's National Poll released on Tuesday afternoon. The Mustangs of MSU dropped two spots to eighth after winning both matches last weekend while the Hilltoppers stayed inside the Top 25 at No. 23.
 
UP NEXT
The Dustdevils will take on Dallas Baptist on Saturday, Sept. 16, at 1:00 p.m. at Patriot Soccer Field. A full preview of the match can be found at GoDustdevils.com on Friday.