THE RECAP
The St. Mary's Rattlers fell in the semi-final match of the Lone Star Conference Tournament to No. 8 Midwestern State, 2-1. The Rattlers played the top-ten Mustangs extremely close, but couldn't muster enough offense to unseat MSU from their spot in the championship game.
The Mustangs roared to life early, scoring just three minutes in. Mere Escobar, the Mustangs' second-leading scorer placed a ball in the top right corner of the goal to give the home team the lead. They would add a second goal just 14 minutes later to make it 2-0.
Still, the Rattlers didn't quit and played Midwestern State right down to the wire. St. Mary's creased the scoreboard in the 73rd minute when Alonso Rodriguez buried his ninth goal of the year into the back of the net. For the Rattlers, however, time would run out before they could find the equalizer.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW
- The Rattlers put five of their eight shots on goal, but only beat the keeper once.
- StMU will have to wait one more year to beat Midwestern State in the postseason tournament.
- The Rattlers have finished the last four seasons with at least double-digit wins (excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 season.)
HEAD COACH JOHNNY CLIFFORD ON THE OUTCOME
"I felt like we gave everything could, but we just came up short. Tonight was not our night and you have to give credit to the Mustangs. They were clinical when they got their chances early in the game. I wanted more for our seniors to close out their careers with us. The effort that they have given for myself and this program has changed the outlook of St. Mary's Soccer forever. I am very proud of what they have accomplished over their four years here and of the men they have developed into.
UP NEXT
The Rattlers, who sit on the bubble of the NCAA Tournament field, will await Monday afternoon to see if they are selected to the NCAA Tournament. The selection show begins at 5 p.m. and can be viewed on the NCAA website.
