Johnathan Peña
Sports Editor
Before the pitch of the Oct. 14 soccer games, Texas A&M University-San Antonio’s Recreational Sports and Athletic Department hosted its second Jaguar Prowl to garner support for the women’s and men’s soccer team before their respective games.
Assistant Director of Spirit Programs Courtney Bobb-Meilinger led A&M-San Antonio’s spirit program to the pitch with General the Jaguar and the dance and cheer teams.
“This is our second time doing the prowl. Last year we had a good turnout. This year depends on the weather,” Bobb-Meilinger said. “The idea is trying to get more people engaged and participating, being fans for our soccer teams, who are doing a great job this year.”
Bobb-Meilinger said she is eager to see a larger turnout at the Jaguar Prowl next year, and more spirit for A&M-San Antonio.
“I want to make sure our players have the support they need from their peers, faculty, staff and community,” Bobb-Meilinger said. “Next year we plan to do a pep rally the night before the game and get people ready to go and get everyone excited to be at the games.”
The A&M-San Antonio women’s soccer team, the Lady Jaguars, prevailed against Xavier University of Louisiana Gold Nuggets at home with a final score of 1-0 Oct. 14.
The A&M-San Antonio men’s soccer team lost their match that day against Xavier University of Louisiana 0-3.
Jaguars dominate Oct. 14 game off the pitch
Fredy Sanguinetti, head coach of the women’s soccer team, said he was proud of the team for stepping up and controlling themselves.
“Our defense played really well—Jaci Vargas, Rheanna Lopez and Ivelyn Jimenez—but other players stepped right up—Jazmin Dominguez, Summer Calles—and it was a whole team effort,” Sanguinetti said.
“Great ball movement by Miya Motanye, and Ana Barragan with another great finish. She had four goals in these two games,” Sanguinetti said.
The Jaguars controlled the ball and their temper against the Gold Nuggets with their defensive stops and playmaking.
Sanguinetti said his team “did a great job controlling themselves because if they don’t control themselves then the referee controls us.”
Thanks to the win on Saturday, Coach Sangunietti reached a milestone in his coaching career—600 matches won.
He thanked his wife, family and his late mother for being with him along his soccer coaching journey.
“Thinking back of all the players that played for me—very thankful for them. For the girls, now I’m going to remember this 600th win against the first place team in our conference,” Sanguinetti said. “It’s a full team effort. For me, it’s remembering that and soaking in this great win.”
Junior Goalkeeper Maram Abdeljaber was selected as the Red River Athletic Conference defensive player of the week, saving eight attempted shots by Xavier University of Louisiana.
“Despite Xavier being physical we were able to keep our composure during the game,” Abdeljaber said. “Xavier started to go against each other and getting frustrated, they were yelling and we were able to keep it together.”
Sophomore forward Ana Barragan was also selected RRAC offensive player of the week, scoring three goals against North American University and one goal against Xavier University of Louisiana.
“They started getting physical because we were getting in their head and we held our own and stuck as a team and trusted each other by not letting them get to us,” Barragan said.
Jaguar men upset with Saturday’s loss
Roberto Jaramillo, head coach of the men’s soccer team, had no comment following a tough loss against their Oct. 14 rival, Xavier University of Louisiana.
Freshman forward Amir Simpson had high hopes to win against Xavier.
“Honestly I thought we had it but I feel like we came out too slow in the second half, that’s what killed us most likely,” Simpson said. “When you get scored on consistently, it kills the vibes but we need to correct more chances and finish it more.”
The women’s and men’s soccer teams play their last four games on the road until playoffs in the Red River Athletic Conference.
First on-road game ends in a draw
In the Jaguars first games on the road, both the women’s and men’s soccer teams ended in a draw, 0-0, Oct. 19 against Louisiana Christian University.
The Women’s soccer team conference record is 5-1-4.
The Men’s soccer team conference record is 6-3-1.
The women’s soccer team kickoff their second away game at 1:00 p.m., Oct. 21 against Louisiana State University of Alexandria.
The men’s soccer team will follow, starting at 3:30 p.m. against LSU-Alexandria.
