TYLER, TEXAS - The University of Texas at Tyler men's soccer team will welcome DBU for a midweek matchup at Citizens 1^st Bank – Perkins Soccer Complex. The 7 p.m. start will be a non-conference match for the Patriots as they look to build off of an impressive 3-0 victory against Texas College on Sept. 8^th.
 
SOMETHING TO BUILD ON
 
The Patriots looked dominant last Wednesday night against the Steers. Junior's Birkir Eydal and Sergio Sola scored one and two goals, respectively, to put the Patriot's up 3-0 at the halftime buzzer. In the second half the team looked dominant with possession and played strong defense to hold their lead and run out the remaining time on the clock.
 
With the 3-0 victory, UT Tyler continues to remain unbeaten on the season. Dating back to last season, the Patriots are now undefeated in their previous five matches.
 
HOW THE SERIES HAS SHAPED UP
 
UT Tyler and DBU have matched up only three times previously. UT Tyler holds a 2-1 record in those contests and are looking for a second consecutive win against the Patriots of DBU.
 
The previous matchup took place on Apr. 6^th of this year and was a landmark win for UT Tyler. In the contest, Sola scored the golden goal in the first overtime period to send the Patriots to their first Lone Star Conference tournament appearance.
 
SCOUTING OUT DBU
 
The DBU Patriots have yet to play this season. However, DBU will be bringing back a host of talent from last year's team that just missed out on the LSC tournament.
 
Coming back will be two of their top goal scorers in Mason Wallak and Emmanuel Loni. DBU will have experience returning, as seven of the eight players who played all nine spring matches are back on the roster for the 2021 season.
 
Leading DBU is first year head coach Jess Jobe. Jobe previously worked as a co-head coach for the women's soccer program at Northwestern State in Natchitoches, Louisiana.
 
AROUND THE LONE STAR CONFERENCE
 
Since last Wednesday, the LSC had several teams compete and put up strong results. The conference programs went a combined 7-5-0 and included three separate wins against opponents ranked in the top 25.
 
Players of the week for the conference: Offensive- Giancarlo Saldana, West Texas A&M; Defensive- Luca Hollenstein, Lubbock Christian; Goalkeeper- Braxton Thorne, Lubbock Christian.
 
SOLA AND THE OFFENSE LOOK TO STAY HOT
 
Sergio Sola has begun the 2021 slate with a tear. In the first game against Oklahoma Christian, Sola took a rebounded corner attempt and sent a beautiful cross into the box that was finished by Sören Wald. In last week's game Sola scored twice to bring his season points tally to five. One of his goals came from the penalty spot and another by corralling a header from senior Thierry Assamoi.
 
Through two games, UT Tyler has taken 32 total shots for an average of 16 per game. Of those 32 shots, 12 of those have been on goal, for an average of six per game. The Patriots offense is making the opposing defense and goalkeepers work to keep them off the scoreboard.
 
SPENDING SOME TIME ON THE ROAD
 
After the mid-week meeting with DBU, the UT Tyler Patriots will hit the road for a pair of games against #17 Rogers State and St. Mary's on Sept. 18^th and 22^nd, respectively.
 
The Patriots will come home for a weekend contest against Texas A&M International on September 25^th. This will be the only home game in the next five matches before the Patriots hit the road again for another pair of away contests in the first week of October against UT Permian Basin and Mississippi College.
 
Following those matchups, the Patriots will begin the conference slate with a home game against UT Permian Basin on Saturday, Oct. 9^th.