Men's Soccer | 10/25/2018 11:28:00 AM
It has been a brief, but successful home season for both them men's and women's Patriot soccer teams. They will host Senior Night tonight with the women playing at 3:30 and the men playing at 6. Both teams will be taking on Louisiana College and both head into their final home games undefeated at Citizens 1st Bank-Perkins Soccer Complex.
This is also a historic night in that this will be the final home games for the soccer programs against ASC opponents. With UT Tyler's acceptance into Division II this July, they will begin playing Lone Star Conference opponents next season, but will not be eligible for the postseason until 2021.
Women
This will just be the women's fourth game on their home turf in 2018, but they hope to close out a memorable regular season on it. The Patriots (9-2-1) are unbeaten at home with two wins and a draw this season. They are currently on a three game winning streak, picking up a 3-0 win over Ozarks last Saturday.
The Patriots continue to be lead in goals by Kaelyn Steitz with five this year. However, Kiara Rolen has made a name for herself recently with now three goals of her own. Several other Patriots have netted two goals this season, including Kaycee West, Kiersten Ehler, and Mariah Harmon. Harmon and Ehler also have three assists in 2018 which are tied for the team lead.
Louisiana College (1-12-1, 0-9-1 ASC) has struggled this season and have not won a game since September 3. They have lost nine of their last ten with the only non-blemish in conference play a scoreless draw against McMurry. They have scored only four goals this season while allowing 44. They are coming off a heartbreaking double overtime loss to East Texas Baptist this past Saturday.
Kickoff has been pushed up to 3:30 p.m. because of the chance of foul weather.
Men
The #15-ranked men's team has had a few more home games than the women, and have fared well on their turf as well. The Patriots (10-1-2) continue to ride a twelve game unbeaten streak, winning ten and drawing twice. They have also not lost at home, going 5-0-1.
While they have shiny goal scorers in Lucas Pereira and Jose Poo, the story of 2018 has been their defense. They have only conceded eight goals on the season, thanks to the goalkeeping tandem of Parker O'Quinn and Giancarlo Ayanegui. Also on the backline for the Patriots acting as an anchor is senior captain Ryan Brinda. Together, they have made this one of the most successful seasons in program history.
The Wildcats (4-11-1, 3-7 ASC) will look to get back on the winning side of things. THey have dropped their last two matches to LeTourneau and ETBU, respectively. Like the women's team, their defense has struggled this season, conceding 45 goals while only scoring 21. Their leading scorer is Gabriel Lopes with five this year and right behind him is Jason Rodriguez with four.
Kickoff is set for approximately 6 p.m.
