Tuesday, September 04, 2012

CANYON, TEXAS — Senior forward Diego Santos (Natal, RN, Brazil / Universidade Federal de Rio Grande de Norte) tallied his second straight game-winning goal, to lift the Eastern New Mexico University men’s soccer team (3-0), to a thrilling 3-2 double-overtime win over St. Mary’s University, Tuesday afternoon at The Pitch, in Canyon, Texas. Santos’ overtime goal came at the 101:49 mark and was his second of the game.

With the win, the Hounds have opened the season at 3-0, for the first time in team history. The Hounds opened at 2-0-1, in their initial season, in 2004. Eastern is now 8-5 all-time against St. Mary’s, with two consecutive wins and is 9-6-17 in overtime contests.

Less than 20 minutes into the game, Abayneh Crosby (So., F, Houston, Texas/Atascocita HS) stole a Rattler pass and drove down the right side, before firing a centering pass to Santos, for the go-ahead goal. Early in the second half, Michael Stewart (Sr., D, Katy, Texas/Cinco Ranch HS) headed a Luis Castañeda (Jr., MF, Chaparral, N.M./Gadsden HS) free kick past goalkeeper Patrick Kasperitis, for a 2-0 advantage.

The Rattlers fought back and pulled even on two late rapid-fire goals. Aaron Stares scored with around 13 minutes left and Anthony Bustos ties the game with under 10 minutes to play. Eastern managed the only two shots in the overtime sessions, with Santos netting his fourth goal of the season after taking a pass from Stewart.

Eastern held a 19-7 advantage in total shots, which included an 11-5 edge in shots on goal. The Hounds maintained possession throughout the contest, as displayed by their 10-2 lead in corner kicks. Chris Sheridan (So., GK Spring, Texas/Kein Oak HS) made one save to earn the win, while Kasperitis made eight saves for the Rattlers.

The Eastern New Mexico University men’s soccer team will open its home schedule, against Colorado State-Pueblo, on Friday. The game is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. MDT.

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