Women's Soccer | 10/4/2018 10:29:00 AM

Women look to bounce back after big shutout

TYLER -- The UT Tyler women's soccer team will look to get a bad taste out of their mouth on Thursday when they host the Sul Ross State Lobos at Citizens First Bank-Perkins Soccer Complex. They dropped a 6-0 decision to No. 9 Hardin Simmons last Saturday in Abilene. It was the biggest regular season loss for the program since 2011 when the Patriots lost to Trinity 7-0.

UT Tyler (6-2-1, 3-2-1 ASC) comes into the match having had a modest three game unbeaten streak broken and will look to start fresh. They will be playing on their home field for the first time in two weeks after bad weather forced a match against Concordia to be moved to Tyler Junior College.

Senior Kaelyn Steitz continues to be the anchor of the Patriots offense. She's the only non-goalie to have recorded over 500 minutes on the pitch this year. Steitz also leads the team in goals with five, which is seventh in the ASC. Mariah Harmon has been a great all-around player for the Patriots with two goals and three assists in 2018. Jade Crump has been one of the top goalies in the conference, ranking in the top five for saves this season (39).   

Sul Ross (3-3, 2-2 ASC) is a team still searching for an identity with just over a month remaining in the regular season. They sit right in the middle of the conference standings, but have only played one team in the top half, a 3-1 loss to Hardin-Simmons. This could be a statement game for them because if the Patriots games were counted towards the standings, they would be sitting fifth.

The Lobos' record is split at .500 as are their team stats. They have scored ten goals on the year and they have conceded ten as well. Sul Ross is led in scoring by junior Aylin Villalobos, who has netted three goals this season. They have an all-around players as well in freshman Emily Mihalik. She has scored twice as well as dished out two assists.

Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.

#19 UT Tyler men's team looks to continue unbeaten streak into double digits

The Patriots' men's team lost their first game of the season back in August and have not had a blemish since. They have been unbeaten in their last nine matches, winning eight and picking up a draw against the Concordia Tornadoes. They were bumped up to No. 19 in the latest United Soccer Coaches poll.

UT Tyler (8-1-1, 5-0-1 ASC) has been on a roll much of this season and would be sitting in second place in the conference if their matches were allwoed to count. Lucas Pereira has been an explosive part of the UT Tyler offense with seven goals this season. That ranks fourth overall in the conference. However, right behind him is Jose Poo who has six goals this year, including the dramatic overtime game winner against UMHB two weeks ago.

What gets lost in the Patriots' dynamic offense is their excellent defense. UT Tyler has only given up six goals on the season, tied for the best in the ASC with Texas-Dallas. Parker O'Quinn has been solid in the box this season. He ranks third best in the conference with a save percentage of .800 on the year.

While the Patriots have been the winning end of some dramatic wins, the Lobos (1-6, 1-3 ASC) have been on the wrong side of some heartbreaking losses. Their last three defeats have all been by one goal. The worst was a double overtime loss to ETBU where the Tigers scored the game-winning goal with just 19 seconds remaining in the match. They are currently coming off a 2-1 loss to LeTourneau on Saturday and will be looking for their first victory in three weeks.

They will look to get the ball to freshman forward Luis Gonzalez. The 18-year-old  has six out of the Lobos' eleven goals this year and will look to penetrate a stout Patriots' back line led by Chris Stamm and Ryan Brinda.  

Kickoff will take place approximately 20 minutes following the completion of the girls game.