LAREDO, Texas – A pair of late goals by the Texas A&M Dustdevils proved costly for the West Texas A&M men's soccer team in a 3-1 defeat. The Buffs suffered their first Lone Star Conference loss of the season and move to 6-4-3 overall, 3-1-1 in conference action.
 
WT found an opportunity to take the lead less than 10 minutes into the conference contest. After a pass went back to Texas A&M International goalkeeper Gal Grodetzki, Grodetzki picked up the ball and gave the Buffs an indirect free kick inside the box. WT couldn't convert the free kick as the ball went into the feet of the four-person wall. A few minutes later, the Buffs looked primed to take the lead as Chris Palomino received the ball near the Dustdevil goal. Palomino ripped a shot at Grodetzki where the TAMIU keeper made the save. Palomino recovered the rebound and put the ball into the net, but the offside flag went up to wave off the goal. As the TAMIU tried to formulate an attack, Dylan Watson flew in to take the ball of the Dustdevil defender's foot. With an open field ahead of him, Watson beat the charging keeper to put the Buffs on top. Chasing a one-goal lead, TAMIU tried to counter off a throw in as the ball went to Jordan Mace. Mace, alone with one man to beat, chipped the ball over a charging Asaf Kristal but sent the ball over the crossbar and out of play. Before the half ended, the Dustdevils looked to level the score, but the WT defense held strong by blocking multiple shots.
 
 
The second half went completely in favor of Texas A&M International as the Dustdevils pressured the Buffs. Despite the pressure, WT created an opportunity to extend its lead three and a half minutes into the second half. With a clean look on goal, Sam Scarth attempted a shot from outside the 18-yard box but sent his shot into the awaiting arms of Grodetzki. The Dustdevils' aggressive pressure paid off in the 55^th minute when TAMIU stole possession on the WT half. Guy Lehrer took the ball to the touch line before crossing to a wide-open Lassana Diakite who placed the ball into the net. The Buffs attempted to answer the Dustdevils' goal with 29 minutes to play as Palomino had his shot blocked out for a corner. Shortly after the corner kick, Ben Siri retained possession and curled in a shot from 20 yards out. Siri's shot avoided defenders but was punched away by Grodetzki at the last second. Palomino found another clean look at goal but sent his shot high and wide of the open goal. The errant shot gave TAMIU the moment it needed to take the lead as Jorge Amaya took one two defenders in a counterattack. Sensing the WT defense closing in, Amaya fired a shot past the defenders to beat Kristal. After the Dustdevils took possession with 30 seconds to play, TAMIU advanced up the field once again. Rather than running out the clock, Jorge Mares netted the game's final goal.
 
The Buffs look to rebound on Saturday, Oct. 21 when they host the UT Tyler Patriots. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at The Pitch in Canyon.