TYLER, TEXAS – The UT Tyler Patriots are tied atop the conference standings through three games this season. They will put that standing on the line with a pair of crucial matchups this week.
 
THE WEEK AHEAD
 
The Patriots will first head out to Wichita Falls, Texas this week to take on the #7 Midwestern State Mustangs. That matchup is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
 
On Saturday, the Patriots will return home and welcome Lubbock Christian. That game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. kickoff at Citizens 1^st Bank-Perkins Soccer Complex.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
The Patriots and Mustangs have matched up three previous times. The Mustangs have taken all three previous contests and most recently won 4-0 on March 9^th, 2021. Each of the previous contests have taken place in the last three years, and this week's contest will be the third in Wichita Falls.
 
The Patriots and Chaps have also matched up on three previous occasions. All three contests have come in the last two seasons. The Chaps hold a 3-0 record, but all three games have been decided by just one goal. Most recently, the Chaps won 2-1 on March 13, 2021. This will be the second contest between the schools held in Tyler.
 
THE SCOUTING REPORT
 
The Mustangs currently sit at 10-1 on the season and are tied atop the conference rankings. They are currently 2-0 in conference play. Those include a double overtime win against Oklahoma Christian and a 3-0 victory over Lubbock Christian. The Mustangs are currently outscoring their opponents 35-10 and average 3.18 goals per contest. Leading the way with 10 goals is senior forward Trevor Amann.
 
The head coach of #7 Midwestern State is Michael Meachum. Meachum is in his fourth season as head coach and has amassed a 49-10-4 record. In 2019, Meachum led the Mustangs to the Lone Star Conference postseason title.
 
The Chaps are currently 4-5-1 on the season and sit with an LSC record of 1-1-1. Lubbock Christian beat West Texas A&M and tied with Oklahoma Christian before falling to #7 Midwestern State. The Chaps are being outscored 16-15 on the season and average 1.5 goals per contest. Leading the way in the goals category for Lubbock Christian is freshman forward Luciano Rodriguez.
 
The Chaps are coach by Paul Gilbert, who is in his fifth season. Gilbert has a record of 36-46-10 at Lubbock Christian. He has coached the Chaps to a divisional championship in the Heartland Conference in 2018.
 
AROUND THE LONE STAR CONFERENCE
 
Currently there are four teams tied atop the conference standings. UT Tyler, #7 Midwestern State, #15 West Texas A&M, and (RV) St. Mary's have all collected six points. Of those schools, the Mustangs and Rattlers have only played two games thus far.
 
Players of the week for the conference: Offensive- Dennis Herrera, West Texas A&M; Defensive- Liam Morrison, St. Mary's; Goalkeeper- Raul Guillamon-Bejar, St. Mary's.
 
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
 
The Patriots have played five home games this season and are 5-0 in those games. Four of those five victories have come in one score games, and two of those are in Lone Star Conference games. The Patriots have outscored opponents in home games by a score of 10-3. There are just two more home games on the season and the program will look to carry that undefeated record through the end of the year.
 
ON THE HORIZON
 
The Patriots will have just one contest next week as they will head out to Laredo, Texas to take on Texas A&M International. That contest will be on Saturday, Oct. 30^th and is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff.