Box Score CANYON, TEXAS – The Patriots flurry of offense in the second half came up just short as the Buffs held on to a 3-2 victory on a blustery Wednesday evening.
 
The first half of play started out slowly, with neither team collecting a shot until the 13^th minute. In that 13^th minute, Mathias Eriksen saved a free kick attempt from the Buffs. On the ensuing corner kick, Eriksen was back in action, saving a shot from the top of the box.
 
The 22^nd minute saw the first real chance for the Patriots. Xjavier Martinez collected a pass from Jack Simonini, and slotted a low shot just past the Buffs goalkeeper but unfortunately just wide of the post.
 
In the 29^th minute, the Buffs would get on the board with a goal from Sean Ryan. That shot finished in the upper 90 of the goal and would make it 1-0. 11 minutes later, Denis Herrera scored with a shot that was placed in nearly the exact same spot on the goal.
 
UT Tyler took three shots in the first half, with none of those going on goal. All three of those shots were taken by different Patriots players. Eriksen saved four of the six shots on goal from the Buffs.
 
The second half began with a fury as both teams combined for five shots in the first five minutes. The teams would combine for 13 shots in the first 22 minutes of the second half. In the 68^th minute, Denis Herrera connected on another goal. This time taking a pass from a teammate and slotting it on the left side of the goal just past Eriksen. That score would make it 3-0 in favor of West Texas A&M.
 
In the 72^nd minute, Sergio Sola would seize the best opportunity of the game so far for the Patriots. Using a long ball from teammate Shane Popieluch, Sola brilliantly tapped the ball down before sliding it just underneath the Buffs goalkeeper.
 
Just two minutes later, Chase Duhon would connect on his first ever goal as a Patriot. Thierry Assamoi intercepted the ball before dropping off a pass to Diego Arenal. Arenal then slotted a pass across the box right into the lap of Duhon, who was able to tap it home with his left foot.
 
The UT Tyler pressure stayed strong, forcing a penalty kick in the 84^th minute after Michael Agyeman was tackled in the box. Assamoi would be the man to step to the penalty spot. He took a solid kick to the low left corner, but that attempt would be saved by the Buffs.
 
The Patriots will be back in action on a short turnaround this Saturday against Oklahoma Christian. That game will take place at Citizens 1^st Bank-Perkins Soccer Complex with kickoff set for 5 p.m.