LAREDO, Texas – Texas A&M International University women's soccer battled against one of the Lone Star Conference's top teams Saturday afternoon but ultimately fell 2-0 to Texas Woman's University at Dustdevil Field.
The Dustdevils (2-9, 2-7 LSC) generated nine shots, including six in the second half, but were unable to break through against the Pioneers (13-1, 9-1 LSC), who scored once in each half to secure the victory.
Texas Woman's applied pressure early, recording four shots in the opening 12 minutes. TAMIU goalkeeper Maria Melendez made her first save in the 10th minute, denying Alyssa Striker's attempt to keep the match scoreless.
The Dustdevils responded with an offensive opportunity in the 17th minute when Tove Thornholm placed a shot on goal, forcing a save from Pioneers goalkeeper Faith Graves.
Texas Woman's broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute when Whitni Newbill found the back of the net off an assist from Alexandra Hughes, giving the visitors a 1-0 advantage heading into halftime.
Despite trailing, TAMIU came out aggressively in the second half, increasing its offensive production and outshooting Texas Woman's 6-5 over the final 45 minutes.
Arianna Arboleda created an opportunity in the 53rd minute, placing a shot on target that required another save from Graves. The Dustdevils continued searching for the equalizer, with Tatiana Perez Lluis generating three shots throughout the contest.
TAMIU maintained its offensive pressure with additional attempts from Kathryn Torres and Ida Kolaric before Perez Lluis registered another opportunity in the 75th minute.
However, Texas Woman's extended its lead in the 80th minute when Lauren Wade scored off an assist from Landree Cooper, giving the Pioneers a 2-0 advantage.
The Dustdevils finished with nine shots, two on goal and three corner kicks. Perez Lluis led TAMIU with three shot attempts, while Thornholm and Arboleda each recorded a shot on target.
Melendez played all 90 minutes in goal for TAMIU, recording one save against the Pioneers.
Texas Woman's finished with 13 shots, three on goal and seven corner kicks. Graves recorded two saves to preserve the shutout.
Despite the result, TAMIU demonstrated improvement offensively after halftime, doubling its first-half shot total and matching the Pioneers' attacking intensity throughout much of the second period.
The Dustdevils will look to build on their second-half performance as they continue Lone Star Conference play.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT:
Tatiana Perez Lluis led the Dustdevils' offensive effort with a team-high three shots against Texas Woman's. The forward helped generate attacking opportunities throughout the contest, including two attempts in the second half, as TAMIU increased its offensive pressure while searching for an equalizer.
Perez Lluis is a freshman forward for Texas A&M International University and is currently pursuing a degree in Psychology. A native of Barcelona, Spain, Tatiana is the daughter of Marta Lluis and Jordi Perez and was born on February 7, 2007.
