Lubbock Christian University Athletics

SAN ANTONIO (September 23, 2026) — Lubbock Christian lost to St. Mary's 4-1 on Wednesday at Sigma Beta Chi Field. The Chaps put 10 of their 12 shots up in the second half, but were held scoreless after halftime.

The Chaparrals are 3-4-1 overall and 0-1-0 in conference play. StMU is 5-3-0 overall and 1-0-0 in conference play.

Joao Catafesta put the Chaps in front first in the eighth minute, finishing an assist from Aaron DePaula for a 1-0 lead. The Rattlers answered just three minutes later to tie the match, and the Chaparrals then spent much of the half defending pressure, with Milo Paci saving shots in the 22nd and 34th minutes. 

The Chaps also navigated a physical stretch with fouls on Junior Lopez, DePaula, RJ Rodriguez and Jack Brassey between 27:45 and 40:21 while keeping the match within reach. StMU hit the woodwork at 34:00 and scored on a Chaparral miscue shortly after, taking a 2-1 lead into the break. 

Lubbock Christian spent much of the second half pressing while down 2-1, but StMU scored twice in the final 10 minutes to close out a 4-1 result. Early in the half, DePaula and Oliver Robinson generated early shots for the Chaparrals, including Robinson's effort off the top woodwork in the 53rd minute, while Paci made a save on Kai Louviere in the 57th. 

The Chaps kept the pressure on from there with five shots and a corner between 59:13 and 66:42, with DePaula forcing a save and Thomas Unwin, Alex Lachevre, Augusto Militao and Robinson adding attempts. The half turned more physical after that stretch, and the Rattlers broke through at 80:48 on Dyllan Mendoza's goal from Louviere. Ricky Alvarez added a goal in the 87th minute for StMU, and the half ended with the Chaparrals held scoreless in the segment.

GAME NOTES:
- Aron DePaula assisted the Catafesta goal for his first assist of the season. His last assist was on Sept. 5, 2026, in a win against Adams State.
- This is the Chaps' second loss this season when scoring first in a match, and they are now 2-2-1 in those matches this season.
- Oli Robinson had a team-high three shots in the match and leads the Chaps with 19 this season.
- The four goals allowed are the most by the Chaps in a single match since Sept. 5, 2024, when Fort Lewis scored five times against the Chaps.
- With his early goal, Joao Catafesta moves into a three-way tie for the Chaps lead with two scores this season.

NEXT UP: 
The Chaps will regroup on their home turf, hosting St. Edward's at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday at the LCU Soccer & Track Complex.