LAREDO, Texas – Texas A&M International University men's soccer opened Lone Star Conference play with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against West Texas A&M on Wednesday at Dustdevil Field.
The result moved the Dustdevils to 3-2-2 overall and 0-0-1 in LSC play, while West Texas A&M moved to 2-5-1 overall and 0-0-1 in conference action.
TAMIU goalkeeper Benjamin Hafner anchored the Dustdevils defensively, making three saves over 90 minutes to record the clean sheet. The Dustdevils' back line held firm despite West Texas A&M producing 11 shots and eight corner kicks.
The Dustdevils created an early opportunity when Abner Zuniga put a shot on target in the fourth minute, forcing West Texas A&M goalkeeper Zach Kos into a save. Hafner answered with saves in the eighth, 30th and 37th minutes to keep the Buffaloes off the board through the opening half.
TAMIU increased its attacking pressure after halftime, outshooting West Texas A&M 5-3 over the final 45 minutes. Aidan Williams helped generate two of the Dustdevils' best second-half chances, while Zuniga forced another save in the 70th minute. Williams put a shot on frame in the 79th minute, but Kos again made the stop.
The Dustdevils finished with nine shots, including three on goal, while West Texas A&M recorded 11 shots with three on target. Zuniga led TAMIU with three shots and two on goal, while Williams added two shots and one on target. Rafael Zaic, Kamal Zulfiyev, Michael Ochoche and Dalziel Ozuna each added a shot.
Both goalkeepers finished with three saves as neither side was able to find the breakthrough, giving TAMIU a point in its conference opener.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT:
Benjamin Hafner earns TAMIU Player of the Match honors after anchoring the Dustdevils to a shutout in their 0-0 draw against West Texas A&M. Hafner played all 90 minutes in goal and recorded three saves, keeping the Buffaloes off the scoreboard to help TAMIU earn a point in its Lone Star Conference opener.
Hafner is a junior goalkeeper for Texas A&M International University and is currently pursuing a degree in Marketing. A native of Freiburg, Germany, Benjamin is the son of Michael Hafner and Cornelia Rupp-Hafner and was born on July 20, 2005.
