AUSTIN, Texas (Oct. 17, 2026) – Texas A&M International University women's soccer battled St. Edward's University for 90 minutes Saturday evening but fell 1-0 after a late second-half goal at Lewis-Chen Family Field.
The Dustdevils (2-11, 2-9 Lone Star Conference) held the Hilltoppers (4-7-4, 4-4-3 LSC) scoreless for more than 82 minutes before St. Edward's broke through in the closing stages of the conference matchup.
TAMIU wasted little time creating an early opportunity, as Anessa Barrera registered the game's first shot just over a minute into the contest. Her attempt was directed toward the bottom center of the goal but was stopped by St. Edward's goalkeeper Daria Schlumbohm.
The Hilltoppers responded with offensive pressure throughout the opening half, recording six shots. However, the Dustdevils' defensive unit held firm, keeping St. Edward's off the scoreboard and sending the teams into halftime tied 0-0.
St. Edward's increased its offensive intensity in the second half, generating nine shots and eight corner kicks.
TAMIU goalkeeper Maria Melendez delivered a strong performance between the posts, recording four second-half saves to keep the Dustdevils within striking distance.
Melendez made consecutive saves in the 67th and 70th minutes on attempts from Madison Creswell before denying Jorja Bragg in the 72nd minute. She added another stop in the 79th minute against Daylan Nates, preserving the scoreless draw.
The Dustdevils looked to generate a scoring opportunity of their own in the 76th minute when Lisa Stoico registered TAMIU's second shot of the evening.
Despite TAMIU's defensive efforts, St. Edward's found the breakthrough in the 83rd minute. Sierra Padilla scored at the 82:27 mark off an assist from Tessa Dabney, giving the Hilltoppers a 1-0 advantage.
The Dustdevils continued battling through the final minutes but were unable to find the equalizer.
St. Edward's finished with a 15-2 advantage in total shots, including a 5-1 edge in shots on goal. The Hilltoppers also held an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks.
Melendez played all 90 minutes in goal for TAMIU, finishing with four saves while allowing just one goal. Barrera and Stoico accounted for the Dustdevils' two shots, with Barrera recording the team's lone shot on target.
Despite the result, TAMIU's defensive effort kept the contest within reach until the final minutes against a St. Edward's side that entered the matchup with four conference victories.
The Dustdevils will look to regroup as they continue Lone Star Conference play.
Player Spotlight:
Maria Melendez anchored the Dustdevils' defensive effort, playing all 90 minutes and recording four saves against St. Edward's. The TAMIU goalkeeper turned away multiple scoring opportunities in the second half, including four shots on target between the 67th and 79th minutes, keeping the match scoreless until the Hilltoppers' decisive goal in the 83rd minute.
Melendez is a senior goalkeeper for Texas A&M International University and is currently pursuing a degree in Kinesiology. A native of Cagua, Venezuela, Maria is the daughter of Gabriel Melendez and was born on July 1, 2006.
