Box Score
DENVER — Men's Soccer gave the No. 5 team in the nation a run Saturday as it held its own throughout the 90 minutes, but Regis eked it out, winning 3-2 in the last 11 minutes of the game.
After going 17-2-1 last season, Regis claimed the RMAC conference title with an undefeated 14-0 league record to rank No. 1 in the nation for the first time in the program's history, fueling the No. 5 preseason NSCAA ranking.
The Rangers' prowess showed in their season opener against the Rattlers, scoring a goal a minute after the start of the game and another just six minutes later to post a 2-0 lead in the first 10 minutes of the game.
The Rattlers were able to contest however, as
Alexis Santamaria (So., San Antonio) netted his first, and the Rattlers', goal on the season. Santamaria connected on an unassisted strike, beating his defender on the right to score at the 15-mintue mark.
Last season's Heartland Conference Freshman of the Year
Jack Wolf (So., Richardson, Texas) began his tally next, capitalizing on a free ball 36 yards out assisted by
Alex Gonzalez (RS-Fr., McAllen, Texas).
The scoring action would end by the 15-mintue mark and had the looks of overtime as St. Mary's was able to put a stop to the No. 5 team, but the Rangers were able to net their first win of the season off a double-assisted header with 11 minutes remaining to end it, 3-2.
St. Mary's (0-2) not only was able to challenge Regis (1-0), which advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 last season, but was able to display its efficiency as five of its total six shots were on goal with two resulting in goals. Regis recorded 12 shots with five shot on goal.
Wolf led the Rattlers in looks with a team-high three shots with two shot on goal. Gonzalez, Santamaria and
Garrett Larrington (So., Houston) each had one shot apiece, all shot on goal.
Goalie
Patrick Kasperitis (RS-Sr., Corpus Christi, Texas) dropped to 0-2 on the season, making two saves and allowing three goals for his full 90 minutes of play.
The Rattlers will head back down south for their first home of the season, facing Houston-Victoria at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Our Lady of the Lake Field.
St. Mary's University, as a Catholic Marianist University, fosters the formation of people in faith and educates leaders for the common good through community service, integrated liberal arts and professional education, and academic excellence. The University has six athletic national titles: men's basketball (1989–NAIA), baseball (2001–NCAA Div. II), softball (1986–NAIA and 2002–NCAA Div. II) and an individual national champion in men's golf (2006–NCAA Div. II) and a national academic championship in men's golf (2009–NCAA Div. II). St. Mary's also had more than 40 percent of its athletes named to conference, regional and/or national honor rolls this past year. St. Mary's student–athletes graduation rate is 65 percent, higher than the NCAA Division II average of 55 percent. To learn more about St. Mary's, visit www.rattlerathletics.com.
