HOUSTON, TX — September 2, 2026 — The final score may read University of St. Thomas 3, North American University 2, but anyone who watched Tuesday night's battle at SaberCats Stadium saw something much bigger from the Lady Stallions.
North American University pushed St. Thomas for 90 minutes in a physical, back-and-forth contest that featured four second-half goals, seven total shots on goal for NAU, and more than 300 fans in the stands watching two Houston-area programs battle it out. The Lady Stallions ultimately came up just short, but this was not a team that backed down. This was a team that kept answering.
ARTOLA OPENS THE DOOR
Trailing 1–0 late in the first half, Darla Artola changed the momentum.
In the 44th minute, Artola found the back of the net for the first goal of her Lady Stallions career, taking a pass from Alexia Velazquez and putting NAU on the board. Artola 1. NAU 1. And just like that, the Lady Stallions had life.
For Artola, it was more than a goal on the stat sheet. It was her first collegiate goal and a moment that showed the type of confidence NAU will need as the season continues.
GENEVIEVE COLON: PRESSURE, PRESSURE AND MORE PRESSURE
If St. Thomas thought NAU was going to sit back after halftime, Genevieve Colon had other plans.
Colon was relentless up front, constantly putting pressure on the St. Thomas back line and forcing the Celts to deal with her speed, movement and ability to attack space. She got shots off, created breakaway opportunities and kept the pressure coming. At times, St. Thomas was forced to turn to its bench to help manage the constant pressure Colon was creating. That is the kind of presence a forward brings that doesn't always show up in the box score. And Colon wasn't just competing offensively. She showed leadership and class throughout a match that became increasingly physical, continuing to battle without allowing the intensity of the game to take her out of her game.
"BOSS LADY" RUNS THE MIDFIELD
Then there was Suzette Baltazar. Better known around the program as "Boss Lady," Baltazar showed exactly why that nickname fits. She controlled the middle of the field, helping connect the defensive line with NAU's attackers and keeping the Lady Stallions organized during transitions.
When NAU needed to settle things down, she was there. When NAU needed to push forward, she was there.
And when the game became physical, she continued to compete.
NAU did have moments where the Lady Stallions went to the long ball, something Head Coach Smith admits isn't necessarily the preferred style.
"We like to build up our play, but when you have players like Gen and great passers from our back line, I can understand the temptation."
Coach Smith's message wasn't about criticizing the effort. It was about recognizing what this team can become.
"These young ladies give it their all every time on the pitch. I challenge them to step up, and great teams like UST offer more than just a challenge."
That challenge is exactly what Tuesday night provided.
A MATCH THAT KEPT ANSWERING BACK
St. Thomas opened the scoring in the 36th minute when Alexia Richard converted an unassisted opportunity.
NAU answered eight minutes later. Artola's first career goal tied the match at 1–1 going into halftime.
The second half became a fight. St. Thomas regained the lead in the 78th minute when Ashleyh Ruiz scored off an assist from Nicole Cruzco.
NAU refused to go away.
In the 86th minute, Alexia Velazquez stepped up and delivered an unassisted goal to bring the Lady Stallions level once again.
2–2.
But the tie lasted less than two minutes.
St. Thomas found the game-winner in the 88th minute when Leila Garcia scored off another Cruzco assist.
Final:
St. Thomas 3, North American 2.
NAU finished with 12 shots, six shots on goal and four saves from goalkeeper Arely Sarabia.
St. Thomas recorded 16 shots and seven on goal.
The numbers tell one story.
The fight tells another.
COACH SMITH: "I AM SO PROUD OF THIS TEAM"
Following the match, Coach Smith wasn't interested in making excuses.
The Lady Stallions are still dealing with injuries and aren't operating at full strength, but that hasn't changed the expectations inside the program.
"Understanding we are not at 100 percent health-wise, we have a few injuries in key places. I am so proud of this team."
There was also a nod toward St. Thomas and first-year head coach Nathan Day, who picked up his first victory at UST.
"Big up to the new coach as he and I are showing there are some great soccer athletes in Houston."
That's bigger than Tuesday night's result.
Houston soccer is growing.
And the Lady Stallions are right in the middle of it.
308 PEOPLE GOT TO SEE IT
And then there was something NAU Athletics has been asking for.
School spirit.
The official attendance at SaberCats Stadium was 308. More than 300 people came out to watch the Lady Stallions compete. Student Life showed up. Mr. Kaan showed up. And that support mattered. For an athletic program trying to build an atmosphere around its teams, this is exactly what the Lady Stallions need.
Crowds. Energy. Support. School spirit. The players can feel it. And when you are playing a physical 90-minute match, having people behind you matters.
FROM THE SID: LADY STALLIONS, YOU DON'T KNOW HOW GOOD YOU ARE YET!!!!!
I've been around enough teams to recognize when something is beginning to take shape. Sometimes the record doesn't tell you what you're watching. Sometimes you have to watch the way a team responds when things aren't going its way. Tuesday night, the Lady Stallions answered.
They went down. They came back. They went down again. They came back again.
And eventually they ran out of time. But there is something here.
Lady Stallions, you don't know how good you are yet.
And that's the exciting part. The challenge now isn't simply to win the next game. It's to take everything Tuesday night exposed—the pressure, the physicality, the transitions, the finishing, the composure—and turn it into growth. Because teams like St. Thomas aren't going to make it easy.
Good.
That's exactly the kind of competition that tells you where you are and where you need to go.
NEXT UP: DEER PARK
The Lady Stallions don't have to wait long to get back on the pitch.
North American University vs. Huston-Tillotson University
Thursday, September 3, 2026 | 5:00 PM
FC Deer Park Soccer Complex
And we're taking the show to the community.
The match is FREE FOR ALL FANS AND PATRONS as NAU continues its partnership with the Deer Park community and works to Share and Celebrate Texas Soccer Together.
Tuesday night showed what happens when people show up. Now let's do it again.
Lady Stallions Soccer.
Next stop: Deer Park.
