TYLER, TEXAS – The University of Texas at Tyler women's soccer team notched the program's first ever win against a Division I opponent on Friday evening with a 1-0 victory against Stephen F. Austin.
 
Kiersten Ehler scored the program's first goal of the abbreviated spring season in the 63^rd minute off of an assist from Korey Cyr to provide the Patriots (1-1, 0-0 LSC) with all that they needed to take down Stephen F. Austin (2-2-2, 0-1-2 Southland).
 
"What a fun night!" Head coach Stefani Webb said, "This group lost a tough one 48 hours ago on the road and for them to come out tonight and play such a quality team at their home field and pull off the win is incredible."
 
The Ehler goal was set up by a first-class first-time ball by Cyr that was volleyed in by Ehler. The deciding shot in the match was a screamer that gave the opposing keeper no chance to make a save. The win evens the Patriots record up at 1-1 following a 3-0 season opening loss at Louisiana-Monroe on Wednesday night.
 
UT Tyler will wrap up the non-conference portion of their 2021 spring schedule with their first home action on Feb. 5 at the Citizen's 1^st Bank-Perkins Soccer Complex against their third straight Division I foe in Louisiana Tech.
 
How it Happened: UT Tyler survived a busy first half for the Lumberjacks without conceding a goal despite 14 shot attempts for Stephen F. Austin. UT Tyler notched two shots of their own by Ehler and Vanessa Bart, with the latter of the two efforts being on goal. Keeper Camri Cecil continued to elevate her performance in net for the Patriots following her 11-save performance on Wednesday night against Louisiana-Monroe, recording eight saves in Friday night's win. Those eight saves insured the first clean sheet for Cecil on the year.
 
The defensive effort quickly tightened up for the Patriots in the early stages of the second half, as the squad surrendered just three shots before the Ehler goal at the 62:36 mark of the contest. Stephen F. Austin would go on to record eight more shots in the final 28 minutes of action, but couldn't manage to net the equalizer against Cecil on their lone shot on target during that stretch.
 
By The Numbers: Ehler's goal is the first of the season for the Patriots and the third of her career… The senior also led the team with two shot attempts, both on goal… Cyr's assist is the third of her career and the first so far this season for the Patriots… Stephen F. Austin controlled the shot count for the evening by a 26-to-6 margin, but only had eight shots on target… UT Tyler had four of their six shot attempts on target… Jordan Colbert, Alexa Hernandez and Vanessa Bart joined Ehler with shot on goal attempts… UT Tyler successfully defended eight corner kick attempts for the Lumberjacks.
 
What's Next: UT Tyler will make their home debut at the Perkins Soccer Complex next Friday with a final non-conference match of the shortened season against Louisiana Tech. That match is set for a 7 p.m. start and will be the final preparation for the squad before beginning Lone Star Conference play on Feb. 17 on the road against Texas Woman's.