LAREDO, Texas – Texas A&M International University women's soccer opened the 2026 season with a hard-fought 2-1 loss to Lynn University on Thursday at Dustdevil Field.
The Dustdevils (0-1) battled back from an early deficit to level the match in the second half, but the Fighting Knights (1-0) answered less than seven minutes later with what proved to be the game-winning goal.
Lynn struck first in the 15th minute when Tessa Abreu found the back of the net to give the Fighting Knights a 1-0 advantage. TAMIU responded with pressure of its own throughout the opening half, putting three of its four first-half shots on goal.
Ida Kolaric generated two early chances for the Dustdevils, forcing Lynn goalkeeper Emma Brunelli into saves in the eighth and ninth minutes. Tatiana Perez Lluis added another shot on goal in the 29th minute, but TAMIU entered halftime trailing 1-0.
The Dustdevils found their equalizer in the 63rd minute. Kolaric helped create the opportunity and found Ana Lucia Arroyo Azofeifa, who converted for her first goal of the season to make it 1-1.
The tie was short-lived, however, as Lynn's Shayla De La Cruz scored in the 70th minute to put the Fighting Knights back in front, 2-1. TAMIU continued searching for another equalizer, including earning a corner kick in the 82nd minute, but Lynn held on through the final whistle.
Kolaric led the TAMIU attack with three shots, including two on goal, while adding the assist on Arroyo Azofeifa's goal. Arroyo Azofeifa finished with TAMIU's lone goal, while Perez Lluis also placed her lone shot on target.
In goal, Maria Melendez played all 90 minutes and recorded five saves. Lynn finished with a 14-7 advantage in shots and a 7-4 edge in shots on goal. The Fighting Knights also held a narrow 5-4 advantage in corner kicks.
The Dustdevils return to action Sunday, Aug. 30, when they travel to Edinburg, Texas, to take on the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT:
Ida Kolaric is a freshman midfielder for Texas A&M International University and is currently pursuing a degree in Psychology. A native of Großklein, Austria, Ida is the daughter of Rene and Lydia Kolaric and was born on June 19, 2008.
Kolaric made her presence felt in the Dustdevils' season opener against Lynn, leading TAMIU with three shots, including two on goal. She also helped create TAMIU's second-half equalizer, finding Ana Lucia Arroyo Azofeifa for the assist in the 63rd minute.
