RICHARDSON, Texas – Texas A&M International University women's soccer battled through a scoreless opening 77 minutes before ultimately falling 1-0 to UT Dallas on Saturday at the UTD Soccer Complex.
The Dustdevils (2-7-0, 2-5-0) and Comets (8-2-1, 4-2-1) went into halftime scoreless after a defensive opening 45 minutes. TAMIU goalkeeper Maria Melendez helped keep the match level with a first-half save as the Dustdevils limited UT Dallas to five shots before the break.
TAMIU's attack picked up in the second half, producing six of its eight shots after halftime. The Dustdevils began creating opportunities around the hour mark, with Tatiana Perez Lluis and Milly Garcia each getting attempts away during a stretch of pressure.
The breakthrough came for UT Dallas in the 78th minute when Jules Chavez scored off an assist from Avery Riley to give the Comets a 1-0 advantage.
TAMIU responded immediately and generated several opportunities to find an equalizer. Julissa Gonzalez put a shot on frame less than a minute after the goal, forcing a save from UTD goalkeeper Melyna Martinez.
Perez Lluis followed with two more attempts, including a shot on goal in the 81st minute that Martinez stopped. The Dustdevils also earned two corner kicks during the late push but were unable to find the tying goal.
Perez Lluis led the TAMIU attack with three shots, including one on goal, while Lisa Stoico recorded two attempts. Gonzalez accounted for the Dustdevils' other shot on target. Melendez played all 90 minutes in goal and finished with two saves.
TAMIU finished with eight shots compared to nine for UT Dallas and held a 4-2 advantage in corner kicks. The Dustdevils outshot the Comets 6-4 in the second half.
The loss moves TAMIU to 2-7 overall and 2-5 in conference play.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT:
Tatiana Perez Lluis led the Dustdevils' attack with a team-high three shots, including one on goal. The TAMIU forward helped spearhead a second-half push that saw the Dustdevils produce six shots over the final 45 minutes and create multiple opportunities for a late 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.
