This Week in Rattlers Soccer
Wednesday, Nov. 6 • #13 St. Mary's (12-2-3, 8-0-1) at #RV Midwestern State (11-2-3, 6-2-1) • 4 p.m.
Battle of the Titans: The final match of the regular season pits the top two teams in the Lone Star Conference as #13 St. Mary's travels to Midwestern State for a Wednesday afternoon showdown. Both teams have clinched a spot in the upcoming Lone Star Conference Championship and the Rattlers will host as the top seed.
We Are the Champions: For the third time in six years, the Rattlers have won the Lone Star Conference Regular Season title. StMU won the regular season in its first year in the Lone Star in 2019 with an 8-1-1 record, while the 2022 team was 7-0-2 to win the title.
Getting the Dubs: With a win at Midwestern State on Wednesday, the Rattlers can tie the school record for Division II regular season victories at 13. The 2019 team ended the year 15-3-3 overall and 13-2-2 during regular season action. The 1997 team holds the overall record for regular season wins at 17 (17-2 RS, 17-3 overall).
All-Time with Midwestern State: St. Mary's trails the all-time series with Midwestern State 37-6 and they are just 2-21 in Wichita Falls. The Mustangs have won the previous three meetings, including a 2-0 decision in San Antonio back on Sept. 28. The series began in 1977 with a 2-1 victory for MSU at StMU and the Mustangs won the first 22.
Defending the Net: St. Mary's has allowed five shots on goal or fewer in 14 of the 17 games this season. West Texas A&M took the second-highest SOG this year with seven on Saturday, trailing only the eight by St. Edward's on Oct. 12. On the flip side, the Rattlers have taken five or more shots on goal 14 times.
Lucky Number 13: St. Mary's climbed three more spots to No. 13 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll for the 8th poll, released on Oct. 29. The Rattlers are now the only Lone Star Conference team ranked in the top-25 as Midwestern State dropped out of this week. It is the highest ranking for StMU since week one of the 2023 season when the team was No. 3.
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 (Oct. 15).
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 0-2-2 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 (2nd, .847), shots per game (16th, 15.94), shutout percentage (7th, .529), goals against average (3rd, .529), and win-loss-tie percentage (13, .794). Individually, Johnny Thurbin ranks third in goalie minutes played (1530), fifth in GAA (.529), fourth in save percentage (.845) and third in shutouts (9). Senior Bradley Greene also ranks 27th in game-winning goals with three.
