TYLER, TEXAS – The University of Texas at Tyler men's soccer team opened up the 2021 season with a 1-0 non-conference loss against Lubbock Christian.
 
UT Tyler out-shot the Chaps in their home opener by a 10-7 final total, but couldn't manage to break into the scoring column and will now shift their attention to their Lone Star Conference opener following 90 minutes of quality action against Lubbock Christian. The loss drops the Patriots record to 0-1 on the season.
 
That conference opener will take place on the road at UT Permian Basin on Feb. 16.
 
How It Happened: Luis Mahecha created the first chance at the 2:05 mark for the Patriots with a shot on goal attempt in what would turn into a possession-dominant first few minutes for Lubbock Christian. Mahecha continued to tack on the shot attempts as UT Tyler was able to manufacture a few quality counter attacks despite a continued controlled effort by the Chaps. Michael Agyeman tacked on the second shot on goal attempt for the Patriots at the 24:46 mark as the Patriot defense continued to work to prohibit a shot attempt by the Chaps for the first 25 minutes of the game.
 
Lubbock Christian finally found their stride offensively and began to create some chances before the Chap's Jonathan Wood broke the scoreless match in the 43^rd minute with a goal off of a Hector Rodriguez-Cabo assist.
 
The second half was controlled by a large majority by Lubbock Christian as both teams combined for just five shot attempts. The pace of the match noticeably changed when Lubbock Christian's Ezequel Fidable was sent off with a red card after acquiring his second yellow card of the match in the 80^th minute.
 
The Patriots managed just a pair of shot attempts in the 10 minutes of 11-on-10 soccer, and could not create a quality enough chance to net the equalizer despite an increased offensive attack in the final ten minutes of play. Mahecha would challenge Lubbock Christian keeper Braxton Thorpe one final time with a shot on goal attempt in the 85^th minute.
 
A Look at the Numbers: UT Tyler totaled four shot on goal attempts while Lubbock Christian had just two… Mahecha led the Patriots with six shot attempts and was the lone Patriot to record multiple shot attempts… Two of those Mahecha attempts were on target… UT Tyler had 15 fouls called against them, Lubbock Christian had 13… Wood of Lubbock Christian and Michael Agyeman joined Fidable with yellow cards for the match… Lubbock Christian had four corner attempts… UT Tyler keeper Mathias Eriksen stopped one of his two shot attempts on goal that he faced.
 
Up Next: That Lone Star Conference opener in Odessa, Texas against UT Permian Basin will kick off at 4:30 on Feb. 16.