October 19, 2011
San Antonio – When Andrew Carrasco’ header went off the crossbar four minutes into Wednesday’s Heartland Conference tilt, the St. Mary’s Rattlers had to figure more opportunities would come against Texas A&M International.
But the Dustdevils, ranked No. 15 in the nation, wouldn’t allow it.
Backed by three first-half goals, TAMIU topped St. Mary’s 3-0 in a hard-fought game at the Culebra Creek Soccer Complex, the Rattlers’ latest temporary home-away-from-home.
“We came out flatfooted and weren’t tackling as hard,” said Carrasco, a junior from Corpus Christi, Texas. “They got in on us a couple of times.”
Andrew Carrasco talks about the game
Already up 1-0, the Dustdevils (8-2-2, 4-0 in Heartland Conference) netted back-to-back goals in the 32nd and 36th minutes, including a penalty kick from Jovany Macias that came after a foul in the box.
But St. Mary’s goalkeeper Patrick Kasperitis didn’t allow another goal the rest of the way, recording nine saves on a night the Rattlers were outshot 19-4.
“We had a tough time with their one-on-one play in the first half,” Carrasco said. “That’s how they were beating us in the first half. We fixed that and started playing for each other.”
The Rattlers (3-10, 2-4 in Heartland Conference) will next play at St. Edward’s at 4 p.m. Friday.