LAREDO, Texas – In a little over a year, the St. Edward's men's soccer team completely turned the tables on Texas A&M International. The Hilltoppers avenged last year's 5-2 road loss to the Dustdevils with a 5-2 win. 
 
St. Edward's scored three unanswered goals in the second half to break open a 2-2 tie, with CHRISTIAN MEZAS assisting on one and scoring on another, leading the Hilltoppers with two goals on three shots and an assist.
 
The Hilltoppers picked up where they left off in their previous game, pressuring the Dustdevils early with a pair of shots in the first five minutes. IZAIAH GARZA tested Texas A&M International keeper Nicklas Berg-Eriksen in the first minute, going low-center and being turned away. ARTHUR SOUZA's attempt missed left in the fourth minute. 
 
Texas A&M International's first look was snuffed out fractions of a second after it left the boot of Felipe Garcia, blocked by a Hilltopper defender near the 11-minute mark. 
 
St. Edward's finally broke through in the 23rd minute when Mezas received a perfectly weighted through ball and delivered a cross to MATTHEW DEVANEY for the goal. Texas A&M International answered immediately, earning a free kick shortly after the kick-off. Yahir Gallardo triggered the set piece and found Dereck Espinal for the equalizer at 24:46. 
 
St. Edward's turned to its bench midway through the first half, calling on DEAN ROGGENBAUER and JETHRO VOURJOLO, among others. The duo answered the call in the first half's final minutes when Vourjolo threaded a pass through three defenders to Roggenbauer in front of the net for the score. 
 
The Hilltoppers generated seven more shots in the first 10 minutes of the second half, but Texas A&M International's Guy Lehrer tied the game in the 65th minute on a penalty kick. 
 
St. Edward's retook the lead when IZAIAH GARZA burst through the midfield with explosive speed and pushed a long pass ahead to Mezas, who crossed it to EMILIANO ABBOUD in front of an empty net for the goal in the 68th minute. 
 
Texas A&M International's Nico Weigandt received a red card in the 71st minute, leaving the Dustdevils a man down. The Hilltoppers capitalized with two more goals. 
 
ANGEL RAMIREZ broke up a corner kick and immediately rolled the ball to MASOOD PORSA to trigger the quick counter. Porsa raced through the midfield and found Mezas for the goal in the 83rd minute. St. Edward's played keep-away over the final few minutes, stretching the defense until the ball found Watanabe in space, making the long run until the dump-off pass to ARTHUR SOUZA for the final goal. 
 
St. Edward's improves to 2-3-1 heading into the conference play. The Hilltoppers will host Midwestern State on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m.