TYLER, TEXAS – The University of Texas at Tyler women's soccer team will conclude their non-conference schedule on Sunday with a road trip to Arkadelphia, Ark. to take on Ouachita Baptist at 1 p.m.
UT Tyler began play in 2021 with a pair of wins beginning with a 2-0 win over Harding in their home debut on Sept. 2 and a 5-0 win over LSU Alexandria on Sept. 4 in the inaugural road contest of the year. Sunday's upcoming match will be the final non-conference game for UT Tyler before shifting their focus to Lone Star Conference play on Sept. 22 against Texas A&M International.
A FAST START
UT Tyler looked like a rejuvenated team on the pitch for the first time in the 2021 fall semester, blending a mix of new faces with reliable veterans to outscore their first two opponents by a 7-0 total. The 2-0 win over Harding in the home opener was especially promising for head coach
Stefani Webb's team, as they outshot a traditionally strong Lady Bisons side by a 19-to-8 final tally and controlled the majority of possession throughout the contest.
Freshman
Reagan Easter and sophomore
Sarah Flannelly found the back of the net in less than a minutes worth of game time to provide the 2-0 win, while five different Patriots scored goals in the 5-0 win over LSU Alexandria. Those five goals were the most in a single game for the program as a Division II program, and the most for the team since the 2016 season.
22 individuals logged game action between the two games to start off 2021, illustrating a deep roster for coach Webb as the year officially gets off and rolling.
AWESOME ADJE
Freshman
Faith Adje played just 60 minutes between the two contests against Harding and LSU Alexandria as she settles into the pace of the collegiate game, but spent no time in establishing herself as a potential dominating offensive force for UT Tyler. The Frisco, Texas native matched Flannelly with the team lead in points after the opening weekend with four, and scored her first goal in a Patriot uniform in the 38
th minute of the LSU Alexandria match.
CLEAN ALL THE WAY AROUND
Junior
Camri Cecil has gotten off to a perfect start in goal for UT Tyler through the first two matches, recording clean sheets in both wins against Harding and LSU Alexandria. The 2019 All-Lone Star Conference selection has played like a top keeper in the LSC so far in 2021, notching four saves in both UT Tyler wins.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Ouachita Baptist will enter Sunday's meeting with UT Tyler on their home pitch with a 2-1-1 record on the year. The Tigers two wins have come in their most recent contests on Sept. 9 in a 2-0 win over Union and on Sept. 11 in a 1-0 win over Christian Brothers.
Sunday's match will be the final non-conference match for the Tigers before beginning conference play as well, as they are set to open up their Great American Conference schedule against Harding on Sept. 23
rd.
Senior Jaymee Dotson leads Ouachita Baptist with two of their four goals scored on the year. She also paces the Tigers with nine shots on the year, six of which have been on goal. Junior Michele Snow has started and played every minute of all four games for Ouachita Baptist in 2021, conceding three goals while making 17 saves on the year.
HISTORY WITH THE TIGERS
Sunday's match will be the fifth meeting all-time between the two programs, with Ouachita Baptist currently riding the series' longest winning streak. The Tigers have won each of the past three games dating back to 2004.
The Patriots won the inaugural meeting between the teams back on Sept. 13, 2003 in Arkadelphia by a 3-2 margin. The latest match came back on Sept. 7, 2019 in UT Tyler's first year competing against Division II competition, and ended with a 1-0 Ouachita Baptist victory in overtime.
