EDINBURG, Texas – Texas A&M International University women's soccer battled NCAA Division I opponent UT Rio Grande Valley for 90 minutes Sunday afternoon, but a late first-half goal proved to be the difference as the Dustdevils fell 1-0 at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex.
TAMIU (0-2) held the Vaqueros scoreless for the opening 40 minutes before UTRGV broke through at the 40:18 mark. Amy Romero found the back of the net off an assist from Sienna Church to give the Vaqueros a 1-0 advantage heading into halftime.
The Dustdevils generated opportunities of their own in the opening half. Lisa Stoico registered TAMIU's first attempt in the 27th minute before Anessa Barrera followed with shots in the 30th and 44th minutes. TAMIU also earned a pair of first-half corner kicks.
TAMIU continued to search for the equalizer after the break. Milly Garcia recorded an attempt following a Dustdevil corner in the 51st minute, while Arianna Arboleda added another shot in the 66th minute.
The Dustdevil defense kept the game within reach throughout the second half. Goalkeeper Maria Melendez played all 90 minutes and made a save on Romero in the 63rd minute to keep UTRGV from extending its advantage.
TAMIU finished with five shots, while UTRGV recorded 11. Despite the difference in attempts, the Vaqueros put just two shots on goal. The Dustdevils also held a 3-1 advantage in corner kicks, while UTRGV was called for 15 fouls compared to 10 for TAMIU.
Barrera led the Dustdevils offensively with two shots, while Garcia, Stoico and Arboleda each recorded one. Melendez finished with one save while allowing the game's lone goal.
The loss moves TAMIU to 0-2 on the season following a challenging opening weekend on the road.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT:
Maria Melendez played all 90 minutes and helped keep TAMIU within striking distance throughout the 1-0 loss. UTRGV generated 11 shots, but only two reached the target, with Melendez making a second-half save to preserve the one-goal margin. Her biggest stop came in the 63rd minute, denying UTRGV goal scorer Amy Romero and keeping the Dustdevils' comeback hopes alive.
Maria Melendez is a senior goalkeeper for Texas A&M International University and is currently pursuing a degree in Kinesiology. A native of Cagua, Venezuela, Maria is the daughter of Gabriel Melendez and was born on July 1, 2006.
