Wednesday, September 27 • San Antonio • Sigma Beta Chi Field
Eastern New Mexico (2-3-2) at #18 St. Mary's (5-2-1) • 7 p.m.
Final Non-Conference: St. Mary's plays only one match this week as they finish up non-conference play, hosting Eastern New Mexico at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
Renewed Rivalry: The Rattlers won the first meeting in the Battle of the Saints rivalry, winning in Austin for the first time since 2010 with a 2-1 victory on Saturday. The Rattlers have now won three straight against the Hilltoppers, dating back to 2019 when St. Edward's discontinued its program.
More First Goals: Both freshman Gael Gallegos and senior transfer Santiago Nunez became the third and fourth players to score their first goals for the Gold and Blue this season. Gallegos scored one goal in each of the two matches last week, while Nunez kicked the game-winner at St. Edward's. Alexander Carey and Avery Estell have also scored first goals this season.
Series History: The Rattlers hold an 11-8-1 advantage in the all-time series and have won six in a row. A season ago, StMU won 5-0 against the Greyhounds. Sebastian Rivera, Cian Foley and Andrick Ferrer had three of the team's scores, while Rivera added two assists and Foley, Bradley Greene and Jose Llano each posted another.
Game-Winners: Senior Cian Foley has already kicked three game-winning goals in 2023, which ties for fourth in St. Mary's single season history. The school record of six is held by Pato Botello Faz from 2018. Both Faz (2017) and Que Willis (1999) are tied for second with five each. Foley ranks second in the Lone Star Conference and second in the nation with the three game-winners, trailing MSU's Mere' Escobar by one.
Closing In: Head Coach Johnny Clifford won his 61st career game on Saturday at St. Edward's and is now four victories away from tying the all-time wins record at St. Mary's. Dave Stolarski won 65 contests from 1974-81, while Que Willis is currently second with 62 wins (2003-13).
Leading the League: Sophomore GK Johnny Thurbin currently leads the Lone Star Conference in both goals against average (0.50) and save percentage (90.0). Nationally, he ranks 17th in GAA and seventh in save percentage.
Keeping It Clean: The Rattlers are second in the Lone Star Conference and rank fifth in the nation in fewest fouls per game at 6.75. Lubbock Christian ranks second in the nation (6.57), while Midwestern State is sixth (6.88) and DBU is eighth (7.14).
