Box Score TYLER, TEXAS – Junior
Sergio Sola scored the game winning goal late in the second half to help lift the Patriots to a 1-0 victory over the Falcons.
In a game that featured a total of 20 shots, it was the very last one of the match that would seal the victory for UT Tyler. Sola capitalized on the best chance of the match to give himself his third goal of the season.
The first half would slide by without ample opportunities for either side. Both teams combined for eight shots, with only three of those going on goal. The best chance came off of the head of
Bryan Rivas-Guzman, who sent a cross from Sola to the near post. That shot was stopped by a completely outstretched Alfonso Aragon for UT Permian Basin.
The Patriots and Falcons made just three saves in total, and the Patriots had the only corner kick of the half. Rivas-Guzman led the program with two shot attempts in the first half.
The second half saw the pace of the game speed up with both teams taking six shots each. The Patriots defense held strong, with none of the six shots from the Falcons finding their way on goal. Four of the six shots found their way on goal for the Patriots. Multiple opportunities were created, with a pair of those being diving saves.
With time ticking down in the match, junior
Shane Popieluch sent forward a long pass that found a streaking Sören Wald. Wald immediately turned and delivered a perfect pass right to Sola who was running right at the corner of the box. Sola collected the pass and placed a wonderful shot off of his right boot just past Aragon that found the back of the net.
The goal with just 13 seconds left in the match gave the Patriots a decisive 1-0 lead and gives them a 1-0 start to conference play. With the 1-0 victory, the program is now 4-2 in one score games on the season. The goal is Sola's third on the year, and he is now the fifth different Patriot to score a game winning goal.
Next on tap for UT Tyler will be a road trip to Canyon, Texas to take on #6 West Texas A&M. Their next home game will be in exactly one week as they will host Oklahoma Christian on Oct. 16 in a 5 p.m. matchup.
