AUSTIN, Texas – Texas A&M International University men's soccer opened the 2026 season with some late-game heroics Thursday night, as Jaime Martinez scored in the 89th minute to lift the Dustdevils to a 1-1 draw against St. Edward's at Lewis-Chen Family Field.
The Hilltoppers struck early, taking the lead just 2:50 into the contest. Jake Ciccarello found the back of the net off an assist from Alex Loya to put St. Edward's ahead, 1-0.
TAMIU responded with pressure of its own almost immediately. Severin Hager put a shot on goal just 15 seconds after the opening score, forcing St. Edward's goalkeeper Kaleo Francis into a save. The Dustdevils continued to search for an equalizer throughout the opening half, generating four shots and three corner kicks before halftime.
The Dustdevil defense kept the deficit at one heading into the break, with goalkeeper Nicklas Berg-Eriksen making a save in the 40th minute to keep TAMIU within striking distance.
St. Edward's increased its attacking pressure in the second half, but Berg-Eriksen and the TAMIU back line held firm. The Dustdevil keeper made two more saves after halftime, including a stop on Ebuka Bright-Osigwe in the 84th minute that preserved the one-goal margin.
With time running out, TAMIU finally broke through.
After earning a corner kick in the 86th minute, the Dustdevils continued to push forward before Martinez delivered the equalizer at the 88:06 mark, scoring his first goal of the season to pull TAMIU level at 1-1. The Dustdevils held on through the final whistle to secure the draw.
TAMIU finished the night with seven shots, including two on goal, while St. Edward's recorded nine shots and four on frame. The Dustdevils held a 4-3 advantage in corner kicks. Berg-Eriksen played all 90 minutes in goal, finishing with three saves while allowing just the early St. Edward's goal.
Martinez led the way offensively with the game-tying goal, while Hager recorded TAMIU's other shot on goal. Abner Zuniga paced the Dustdevils with three shot attempts.
The result moves TAMIU to 0-0-1 to begin the 2026 campaign.
The Dustdevils return to action Monday, Aug. 31, when they take on West Alabama.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT:
Jaime Martinez delivered when the Dustdevils needed it most, scoring the game-tying goal in the 89th minute to secure a 1-1 draw against St. Edward's. His strike at the 88:06 mark accounted for TAMIU's lone goal and helped the Dustdevils earn a result in their 2026 season opener. Martinez finished with one shot on goal and made it count.
Martinez is a junior forward for Texas A&M International University and is currently pursuing a degree in Petroleum Engineering. A native of Amarillo, TX, Jaime is the son of Liliana Flores and was born on April 19, 2006.
