TAMIU successfully closed its four home-game season opening with a 3-2 victory over Eastern New Mexico at the Dustdevil field Friday afternoon.
Despite TAMIU’s speed, Eastern New Mexico scored first in the 19th minute of the match. After Eastern New Mexico junior forward Jared Morris carried the ball to the endline, he gave a crossing pass which sophomore midfielder Ryan McClanahan kicked into the left side of the net.
A few minutes later, TAMIU tied the game when sophomore defender Armando Villareal penetrated from the right flank toward the penalty box. He sent a cross pass that landed on the waiting feet of junior midfielder Leonardo Calvo, who put the sphere into the back of the net to level the score 1-1.
After tying the game, TAMIU wasted no time in taking the lead. Senior defender Raul Quinones passed to junior midfielder Adeyemi Gill; Gill then side-volleyed the ball and launched a blast from 20 yards that ended in the back of the net.
Gill later passed to junior midfielder Gregory Mulamba, who finished the maneuver by ripping a shot that ended in the bottom right of the net.
In the beginning of the second half both teams created minimal opportunities, but the match took a different course after TAMIU defender Julian Hierro was red-carded.
Eastern New Mexico’s Eric Perea scored in the 75th minute after taking a pass from McClanahan. He shot far out of the reach of TAMIU senior goalie Noe Pantoja.
After the goal, New Mexico tried to tie the game, but TAMIU’s defense held, securing them the victory.
“We just adjust to the condition and try to stretch our resources on the field,” said TAMIU men’s soccer coach Claudio Arias. “I think the guys understood that.”
However, Arias notes there’s still room for improvement.
“We need to work a little on switching the point of attack a little faster,” he said. “In defense, we need to [remember] when to pressure and when to wait.”