PORTALES, N.M. – Texas A&M International University women's soccer overcame an early deficit, scoring twice in the second half to secure a 2-1 comeback victory over Eastern New Mexico on Tuesday evening at Al Whitehead Field.
The Dustdevils (5-12, 5-9 Lone Star Conference) received goals from Lisa Stoico and Tatiana Perez, while goalkeeper Patricia Perez delivered a nine-save performance to help TAMIU earn the road victory.
Eastern New Mexico (2-13-2, 1-11-1 LSC) opened the scoring in the 14th minute when Megan Mukiibi found the back of the net off an assist from Aaliyah Campbell, giving the Greyhounds an early 1-0 advantage.
The Greyhounds controlled much of the opening half, outshooting TAMIU 10-3 while generating five corner kicks. Despite the pressure, Patricia Perez kept the Dustdevils within striking distance, recording five first-half saves.
TAMIU created several opportunities before halftime, including shots on goal from Tatiana Perez and Isabella Gonzales, but Eastern New Mexico goalkeeper Kiley Patalan preserved the Greyhounds' one-goal lead heading into the break.
The Dustdevils wasted little time responding in the second half.
Just over two minutes after the restart, Stoico delivered the equalizer in the 48th minute, scoring an unassisted goal to bring TAMIU level at 1-1.
With the match tied, both teams continued searching for the go-ahead goal. Arianna Arboleda tested Patalan with a shot on target in the 64th minute, while Patricia Perez continued anchoring the Dustdevils' defensive effort.
TAMIU broke through in the 77th minute when Tatiana Perez scored the eventual game-winner off an assist from Julissa Gonzalez, completing the Dustdevils' second-half comeback and giving the visitors a 2-1 advantage.
Eastern New Mexico continued applying pressure in the closing minutes, but Patricia Perez turned away a shot from Brenda Zepeda Aguilar in the 89th minute to help preserve the victory.
The Greyhounds finished with a 17-8 advantage in total shots, including a 10-6 edge in shots on goal, while also holding an 8-0 advantage in corner kicks.
Patricia Perez finished with nine saves across 90 minutes, allowing just one goal. Offensively, Tatiana Perez led TAMIU with three shots, all on target, while Stoico contributed two shots and the equalizing goal.
The victory marked TAMIU's fifth conference win of the season as the Dustdevils completed their comeback on the road.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT:
Patricia Perez anchored the Dustdevils' defensive effort with nine saves across 90 minutes, including five in the opening half. Her performance kept TAMIU within striking distance before the second-half comeback, while a crucial late save helped preserve the 2-1 victory.
Perez is a junior goalkeeper for Texas A&M International University and is currently pursuing a degree in Psychology. A native of Barcelona, Spain, Patricia is the daughter of Jordi Perez and Marta Lluis and was born on February 13, 2005.
