Texas A&M University-San Antonio: 3
North American University: 0
October 17, 2024 – SaberCat AVEVA Stadium

The Stallions of North American University fought valiantly but ultimately fell short in a 3-0 loss against Texas A&M University-San Antonio on a sun-drenched afternoon. Despite flashes of brilliance, the Jaguars capitalized on their opportunities and made the most of set plays and quick counters, leading them to victory.

First Half Action:

The Jaguars wasted no time establishing their presence, scoring in the 5th minute when Ronald Aguilar threaded a pass to Wilmar Aguilar, who slotted it home for the game's opening goal. North American's defense regrouped but had difficulty penetrating TAMUSA's organized backline. A late push by the Jaguars resulted in another goal just before the break, as Christian Guerrero found Ronald Aguilar, who tucked away his first of the day.

Second Half:

The second half saw a more spirited North American squad, but the Stallions were still unable to find the back of the net. TAMUSA's goalkeeper Marco Matranga stood tall, denying shots from Ryota Ishizuka and Wilman Landaverde, both of whom were North American's key offensive threats throughout the match. However, TAMUSA's Ronald Aguilar struck again at the 62nd minute with a dazzling solo effort, solidifying the scoreline at 3-0.

Standout Performers:

• Ronald Aguilar (TAMUSA): The star of the match, Aguilar scored two goals and notched an assist. His attacking prowess was the driving force behind TAMUSA's win.
• Wilmar Aguilar (TAMUSA): Opened the scoring and worked tirelessly on both ends of the pitch.
• Marco Matranga (TAMUSA): The keeper was a brick wall, making 5 crucial saves to secure the clean sheet.

For the Stallions:

• Wilman Landaverde: The offensive engine for North American, registering three shots with two on target.
• Ryota Ishizuka: Showed flair with two solid attempts on goal, forcing Matranga into action.
• Gino Burioni: The North American goalkeeper was tested throughout the match, making four crucial saves, keeping the Stallions in the game until late in the second half.

Despite the loss, the Stallions showed grit and determination. However, a clinical TAMUSA side proved too much to handle. With each game, Coach Dane Smith's squad is learning valuable lessons, and though the scoreline wasn't in their favor, the experience gained will fuel their drive moving forward.

Next Up: North American University will regroup and look to bounce back in their upcoming fixture. The heart and determination of this young squad continue to be their hallmark. They'll be eager to turn things around in their next home clash.

Final Thoughts: A tough day for the Stallions, but this is a marathon, not a sprint. Coach Dane Smith will surely have some words of wisdom to fire up his players as they press on through the season. Keep an eye on the Landaverde brothers and Ishizuka, who continue to show promise on the attacking front.