LAREDO, Texas — Following the conclusion of the 2026 regular season, the Texas A&M International University men's soccer program saw four student-athletes recognized for their performances on the field and in the classroom, earning Lone Star Conference postseason honors. The selections highlight the Dustdevils' emerging young talent and commitment to excellence both athletically and academically.
Freshman midfielder Abner Zuniga highlighted the Dustdevils' postseason honors, earning Second Team All-LSC recognition and a spot on the conference's All-Freshman Team. Zuniga was the only freshman in the Lone Star Conference to earn First or Second Team All-Conference honors, further highlighting his impressive debut season.
Zuniga was joined by fellow freshmen Kamal Zulfiyev and Aidan Williams on the LSC All-Freshman Team, giving TAMIU three selections to the squad. Sophomore defender Rafael Zaic rounded out the Dustdevils' postseason recognition with LSC All-Academic Team honors.
A native of Laredo, Texas, Zuniga made an immediate impact in his first collegiate season, establishing himself as a consistent presence in the Dustdevils' midfield. He started all 15 matches in which he appeared, logging 1,325 minutes while recording three goals, including one game-winner, for six points.
His performances throughout the season earned him recognition among the conference's top players, securing both Second Team All-LSC and All-Freshman Team honors.
"Abner is very deserving of this recognition," head coach Claudio Arias said. "He has proven himself to be not only one of the best freshmen in the conference but also one of the top players in the Lone Star Conference. It's always special to see a hometown player from Laredo succeed and represent his community with pride. His talent and dedication are a reflection of the bright future of Dustdevils men's soccer."
Zulfiyev, a freshman forward from Saray, Azerbaijan, also made his mark during his first collegiate campaign, earning a place on the LSC All-Freshman Team.
The petroleum engineering major appeared in 16 matches, making 12 starts and totaling 979 minutes of action. Zulfiyev finished the season with three goals, including one game-winner, and six points.
"Kamal's ability to adapt and prioritize the team's success over his own individual accomplishments has truly paid off," Arias said. "The way he balances the demands of a petroleum engineering degree with his responsibilities on the field is impressive. His humility and selflessness have taught me a great deal, and he is another young player who makes the future of our program incredibly promising."
Joining Zuniga and Zulfiyev on the All-Freshman Team was Williams, a freshman forward from San Antonio, Texas, who emerged as a consistent contributor in the Dustdevils' attack.
Williams started all 16 matches during the 2026 season, recording three goals, including two game-winners, and six points across 1,088 minutes of action. The accounting major demonstrated his ability to deliver in key moments, with two of his three goals serving as deciding scores.
"Aidan's work ethic and commitment to this program have been outstanding," Arias said. "Regardless of the obstacles he has faced, he continues to show up, work hard and remain dedicated to improving. He is extremely coachable, has great character and is a tremendous representation of the talent we have here in Texas. He embodies the qualities we want in our student-athletes and is an important part of the future of TAMIU men's soccer."
Rounding out the Dustdevils' postseason honors was Zaic, a sophomore defender from Salzburg, Austria, who earned LSC All-Academic Team recognition.
The business administration major holds a 3.936 GPA and started all 15 matches in which he appeared, recording two goals and four points across 1,248 minutes.
"This recognition is a testament to Rafael's hard work and dedication both on and off the field," Arias said. "His commitment to excellence in the classroom and on the field is something we're extremely proud of."
"At TAMIU, we believe our student-athletes are students first, and academic success will always be our highest priority," newly appointed Director of Athletics Tyler Unsicker said. "Rafael earning this recognition is a testament to his dedication in the classroom and on the field. Honors like these reflect the values we strive to uphold as an athletics department, and we are incredibly proud to have him representing TAMIU at such a high level."
The postseason selections highlight the promising future of TAMIU men's soccer, with Zuniga's Second Team All-LSC recognition leading a trio of All-Freshman Team honorees. Alongside Zaic's academic achievement, the honors reflect the program's commitment to developing student-athletes who excel both on the field and in the classroom.
