Joel "Jewlz" Morris
Sports Editor
Texas A&M University-San Antonio men’s soccer opened its season Sept. 1 with a 1-1 draw against the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma at A&M-San Antonio’s home pitch.
The Jaguars entered 2025 following a program-best 9-3-3 record last season and an appearance in the Red River Athletic Conference quarterfinals. Head coach Robert Jaramillo said he believes this year’s team can build on that success with the return of several key players, including senior All-American striker Ronaldo Aguilar, the 2024 RRAC Offensive Player of the Year.
Aguilar, who was tightly marked throughout the match against the Drovers, said he welcomes the challenge.
“I don’t have a big body, but it’s all mental strength,” Aguilar said. “I prepare every morning and practice three hours a day.”
Returning players include senior defender Eduardo Hernandez, a second-team All-Conference selection; sophomore midfielder Joey De La Torre, who made the All-Conference Freshmen Team; and junior midfielder Christian Guerrero, a Third Team All-Conference player.
This year’s freshman class features seven players from within a 350-mile radius of campus, including Austin, Floresville and Eagle Pass. Jaramillo said he prioritizes giving local athletes an opportunity to compete at the collegiate level, describing the group as “fearless, nothing phases them.”
Against the Drovers, the Jaguars showed early promise, pressing defensively and generating a 2-0 shots-on-goal advantage. But the match momentum turned early on when Guerrero was ejected with a red card in the 23rd minute.
The Drovers started to exploit Guerrero’s absence and began asserting themselves at the goal, having a 3-2 shot-on-goal advantage after the first half.
The aggression continued in the second half, and at the 39-minute mark Drovers freshmen forward, Thato Lekgetho found a crease to score and put USAO ahead 1-0.
Though shorthanded, the Jaguars clawed back into the contest. Physicality increased, playing in favor of the Jags’ playstyle.
“We love physical games, that’s our bread and butter,” Jaramillo said. “That’s going to be every game.”
Sophomore forward Kevin Zepeda scored off an assist from junior forward Jacob Olivares in the second half.
Zepeda is coming off an ACL injury that took him out of action for a year and a half. Now in his second game back on the pitch, said he feels grateful to contribute again.
“It’s great scoring for these boys. I’ve been out for a year and a half, it’s been great, they’ve been behind me the whole time,” said Zepeda. “It’s my reward and their award as well.”
Jaramillo praised his team’s resilience in grinding out a result despite being a man down for more than 70 minutes.
“It’s hard to play that long with 10 players, but I love how calm my guys were,” Jaramillo said. “Tactically, they were excellent. I can’t say enough about how proud I am.”
The Jaguars return to play at 7 p.m. Sept. 9 against Nelson University (SAGU) in Waxahachie.
