San Antonio – Carolina Hernandez gave St. Mary’s University the early lead, but the Rattlers couldn’t hold it and fell to East Central University, 2-1, in non-conference women’s soccer action Sunday afternoon. The Rattler men’s team also was defeated, 1-0, at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.

Hernandez (So., El Paso) headed in a cross from Amanda McMullan (Sr., Allen) in the 13th minute to give the Rattlers the early lead. That was where things would stay until halftime. East Central then tied the game in the 53rd minute on a Laura McNabb penalty kick. Just eight minutes later they scored the winning goal on a Kimberley MacKenzie free kick.

With the loss the Rattlers are now 0-3 this season. East Central is now 2-2. St. Mary’s will return to action on Thurs., when they travel to Dallas to face Dallas Baptist University in the Heartland Conference opener for both teams at 4 p.m.

The men’s team continued to struggle offensively, but played strong defensively in a 1-0 loss to UTPB in Odessa. The only goal of the game came in the 12th minute as Nickolas Kettlety beat the Rattler defense and smacked a shot just out of the reach of goalkeeper Brett Collier (Jr., Schertz). From there the game was a defensive battle with the teams combining for just 15 shots in the game. Collier made three saves in taking the loss.

St. Mary’s fell to 0-3 overall and 0-1 in Heartland Conference play this season with the loss, while UTPB improved to 5-0, 1-0. The Rattlers will return to action this Thursday when they host Hardin-Simmons University at 3 p.m. at St. Mary’s Soccer Field.

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