OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA. – Graduate student Sören Wald scored in the 31^st minute to ensure a result for the UT Tyler men's soccer in a 1-1 tie on the road against Oklahoma Christian on Saturday night.
 
The 2021 season opener for the Patriots proved to be a balanced affair as neither side managed to seize the majority control of any portion of the match. Wald's goal in the latter stages of the first half gave UT Tyler a 1-0 lead at the halftime break, but an Eagle equalizer in the 65^th minute drew the score to it's eventual 1-1 final.
 
Both sides had 15 shots, both put six of those efforts on goal, and both teams had their chances to put across the go-ahead goal in the late stages of regular time. UT Tyler proved to be the aggressors in the overtime period, notching four shot on goal attempts.
 
Wald's goal came on a well-placed header that redirected a cross from the corner from sophomore Sergio Sola. Sola finally corralled a rebounded corner attempt from UT Tyler and found the head of a streaking Wald into the box for the goal.
 
Wald led a host of Patriot newcomers that impressed in their UT Tyler debuts in the non-conference match on Saturday night in Oklahoma City, Okla., matching junior Michael Agyeman for a team high two shot on goal attempts. Wald and fellow newcomer Malte Andres led the squad with three shot attempts, the third of which for Andres came on a flashy bicycle kick that found it's way on goal as time expired in the second overtime period.
 
Oklahoma Christian keeper Anthony Trabichet stopped that Andres shot in the final second of the match, the third shot from Andres in the overtime period.
 
The Patriots will return home for their home opener on Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. against Texas College.