November 2, 2008
San Antonio – Eastern New Mexico University scored two goals over a 2:20 span of the second half to rally past St. Mary’s University, 2-1, in non-conference men’s soccer action Sunday afternoon at St. Mary’s University Soccer Field.
After battling to a scoreless tie in the first half, the teams combined to score three goals in the second half. Daniel Kelly (Fr., Tucson, Ariz.) broke the ice in the 56th minute to give the Rattlers the lead. Sean Strater (So., Carrollton) launched a long throw-in into the penalty area that Rodrigo Ramos (So., The Woodlands) received and then slid over to Kelly, who one-timed it into the upper right corner for the goal.
That was where things stayed until the 64th minute when Jacob Ford sent a corner kick into the penalty area, Dreaux Plair then touched it ahead to Michael James who found the back of the net, tying the game at 1-1. Just 2:20 later the Greyhounds struck again. Goalkeeper Grant Shanahan took advantage of a strong wind at his back and let fly with an 80-yard punt that Jerry Varpilah received in the Rattler penalty area and Varpilah, who was behind the Rattler defense, one-touched the ball past goalkeeper Jayson Horn (Sr., San Antonio) to give ENMU a 2-1 lead.
The Rattlers outshot the Greyhounds 14-9 in the game and took seven corner kicks, but could only pick up the one goal.
With the loss the Rattlers fell to 5-11 overall this season, while ENMU improved to 6-7-2. St. Mary’s will wrap up the 2008 regular season on Friday when they travel to Austin to face St. Edward’s University at 2 p.m.