This Week in Rattlers Soccer
Lone Star Conference Tournament
Friday, Nov. 15 • DBU (6-5-7) at #11 St. Mary's (12-3-3) • 5 p.m. • St. Edward's (8-5-4) vs. Midwestern State (12-2-3) • 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 17 • Championship Game • 1 p.m.
Tournament Hosts: St. Mary's hosts the Lone Star Conference Tournament for the third time in six years, winning the regular season titles in 2019, 2022 and 2024. The Rattlers face DBU, which defeated West Texas A&M, 3-2, in the quarterfinals, while the other side of the bracket pits second-seeded Midwestern State against St. Edward's, which advanced past UT Tyler, 2-1, in the quarterfinals. The winners of the two semifinals will meet on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Sigma Beta Chi Field for the right to represent the Lone Star Conference in the NCAA Tournament.
All-Time with DBU: After the 1-0 win in Dallas last month, the Rattlers are now 30-7-1 all-time against the Patriots. The Rattlers are unbeaten in their last five against DBU (4-0-1), last losing 2-1 in overtime on Sept. 25, 2021. StMU is 15-3 at home and the two have never met in Lone Star Tournament action.
Against the Rest of the Field: St. Mary's is 6-38 all-time against Midwestern State and 0-3 against the Mustangs in the Lone Star Tournament. The Rattlers are 23-48-9 all-time against St. Edward's with a 1-1 mark this season and a 1-0 record in Lone Star Tournament contests, winning 3-2 in overtime in the 2019 semifinals.
In the Tournament: St. Mary's is playing in its sixth consecutive Lone Star Tournament, entering with a 2-5 record, advancing to the finals in 2019. The Rattlers are 0-3 against Midwestern State, 0-2 against Oklahoma Christian, 1-0 against St. Edward's and 1-0 against UT Tyler.
Defending the Net: St. Mary's has allowed five shots on goal or fewer in 14 of 18 games this season. Midwestern State tied St. Edward's (Oct. 12) for the most shots on goal with eight. On the flip side, the Rattlers have taken five or more shots on goal 15 times.
Defense to Offense: Four Rattlers defenders this season have been named Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Week, and all scored at least once in earning the honor. Bradley Greene was the most recent (Oct. 29), while Pau Mateu Deya (Sept. 24), Gianluca Fiorini (Oct. 8) and Luke Mulkey (Oct. 15) have also earned the honor. Johnny Thurbin has also been named goalkeeper of the week twice (Oct. 15, Nov. 5).
A Goal a Dozen: Twelve different Rattlers have scored a goal this season. The 12 players is tied for the second-most in the Johnny Clifford era at St. Mary's, tied with the 2019 team. In 2022, 16 Rattlers found the back of the net.
You Get a Point! You Get a Point!: There are also 15 players on the roster with at least one point this season. Sophomore Gael Gallegos leads the club with 20 points (8 G, 4 A), while Sofian Maghouz is second with nine (2 G, 5 A).
Getting the Jump: St. Mary's is 12-0-0 this season when scoring first and 0-3-2 when the opposition finds the back of the net first. The Rattlers are 69-3-4 all-time under Head Coach Johnny Clifford when taking the initial lead.
In the Rankings: St. Mary's ranks in the top 20 in Division II in save percentage (6th, .821), shots per game (18th, 15.89), shutout percentage (7th, .500), and goals against average (7th, .667). Individually, Johnny Thurbin ranks sixth in goalie minutes played (1620), 10th in GAA (.667), 10th in save percentage (.818) and third in shutouts (9). Senior Bradley Greene also ranks 35th in game-winning goals with three.
Getting the 'W': The eight straight wins for St. Mary's earlier this season is the second-longest winning streak in school history behind the nine straight by the 2019 team.
