What a nail-biter of a match it was! On October 12th, 2023, the NAU Stallion Soccer team faced off against Texas A&M University-San Antonio (TAMUSA) in a showdown that had fans on the edge of their seats. It was like watching a soccer symphony, with each movement carefully orchestrated to create a masterpiece on the field.

Right out of the gate, TAMUSA came in swinging, applying heavy ball pressure and enough physicality to make even the toughest Stallions take notice. And hey, when your Right Back, Jamie Cisneros, gets a yellow card in the 17th minute, you know it's getting spicy out there.

But did the Stallions back down? Not a chance! Instead, they turned up the heat, showing TAMUSA that they weren't just another team to push around. With 7 shots on goal in the first half alone, NAU made it crystal clear they weren't there to play patty-cake.

Sure, TAMUSA managed to sneak one past the goalie with an unassisted goal by Oscar Valencia, but did that faze our Stallions? Absolutely not! They came roaring back in the second half like a pack of hungry lions, switching to their quick-strike offense and putting the pressure on TAMUSA like never before.

Then, in the 85th minute, when the pressure was at its peak, Juan Rodriguez stepped up in a big way. Despite facing an out-of-control tackle that would've sent lesser players running for the hills, Rodriguez pulled off a move so slick it had fans comparing it to an "AND ONE" in basketball. Talk about turning adversity into art!

And just when you thought the excitement couldn't get any more intense, Andrew Gonzales swooped in with a goal in the 89th minute, sealing the deal and sending the Stallions home with a hard-earned victory.

It's performances like these that make you proud to be a Stallion fan. So here's to the team as they gear up for their next challenge against Our Lady of The Lake University. With skills, determination, and a whole lot of heart, there's no telling what they'll achieve next. Go Stallions!

Written by Rev. Justin C. Jackson (SID)