October 27, 2012
Dallas – The Rattlers hit another victory with freshman Armando Macias going perfect from the field to net two goals in St. Mary’s second shutout on the season over Dallas Baptist Saturday.
The Rattlers’ (5-9-1, 4-4-1 in conference) 3-0 victory over the Patriots (4-11-1, 1-7-1 in Heartland Conference) secured their best season since 2009 and their best year in conference since 2007. With one more conference game left on the season, a win would celebrate the Rattlers’ first winning conference record since 2003.
Responsible for the Rattlers’ milestone reached over the Patriots was Macias (San Antonio) with two goals and Zach Strater (So., Carrollton, Texas) with one while seniors Andrew Carrasco (Corpus Christi, Texas) and Aaron Stares (Swindon, England) picked up the assists with Carrasco recording two.
Macias took two shots Saturday, both of which turned into goals at the 41- and- 43-minute marks to become tied as the Rattlers’ leading scorer with four goals on the season. Stares’ well-placed corner kick gave Macias his third goal on the season as he headed in the Rattlers’ first goal on the day before a breakaway two minutes later, as a pass from Carrasco sent Macias one-on-one against a Patriot defender, creating a matchup which he won to score his fourth goal on the season to the bottom right of the net.
Carrasco’s second slick pass on the day gave Strater his first goal on the season 15 minutes into the second half to seal the victory, 3-0.
Carrasco’s two assists Saturday put him at the top of the Rattlers’ stats with a team-high 10 points on the season.
Rattler defense matched its offensive play as the Patriots were limited to five shots on the day with zero shot on goal, giving Patrick Kasperitis (RS-Jr., Corpus Christi, Texas) his third shutout on the season and an improved win-loss record of 5-8.
The Rattlers tallied 13 shots with six shot on goal Saturday with Macias leading with two shots on goal and Josh Stevens (Jr., San Antonio), Anthony Bustos (Sr., Helotes, Texas), Carrasco and Strater all recording one.
St. Mary’s will play its last conference game of the season against Texas A&M International University Wednesday in Laredo, Texas at 7:30 p.m.