TYLER, TEXAS - #18 Midwestern State was just able to close out a surging UT Tyler attack in the closing minutes of a midweek affair to hold off an upset by a 2-1 margin.
 
Both teams would settle into a high flying affair rather quickly as the two programs combined for 23 total shots with five of those going on goal throughout the 90 minute game.
 
It took just two minutes for the Patriots to get their first shot on the board as Brajdi Cekrezi took a shot that drifted high. Just two minutes later the Mustangs got on the board with their first shot that also drifted high.
 
The two teams then began a hard fought first half that saw 12 total fouls over the first 45 minutes with neither team being able to find an edge. The first shot on goal for either side came from #18 Midwestern State as they pieced together a nice run off of a free kick but it didn't have much on it and Asier Vegas was able to calmly collect it.
 
The big first half chance for the Patriots came with just 1:15 remaining in the half as Todd Fuller took a free kick wide to Thato Meko, who was able to one touch a cross straight to the head of Nolan Giles, but the header slipped just past the left post and out of play.
 
It took only seven minutes for #18 Midwestern State to strike in the second half, and they got the go ahead goal from Eduardo Cerna off of a pass from Mere Escobar. Cerna made a defender miss before delivering the pass to Cerna, who was able to take a low shot that just slipped past Vegas for a goal.
 
UT Tyler bounced back on offense, outshooting the Mustangs 5-1 over the next 24 minutes, but none would go on goal. A big chance came from Zach Panagiotou in the 76^th minute after a long, aggressive run from Craig Chisolm down the sideline. That run was capped by a sliding cross straight in front of the net but Panagiotou was unable to catch a clean foot on it and just missed wide.
 
In the 87^th minute, #18 Midwestern State was able to collect their second and final goal of the night. A long free kick bounced around in the Patriots box, and Max Gonzalez was able to collect it and deliver a pass over to Gavin Scott who was able to finish into an open net.
 
The victory for the Mustangs was not without some drama however, as a late red card against Scott gave the Patriots a set piece with just 55 seconds remaining. Cekrezi was the man who stepped up to the spot, and he delivered a beautiful, low shot that snuck inside the left post to pull the Patriots within one.
 
After the game restarted, the Patriots regained possession and pushed everyone forward, Fuller held the ball on the right sideline, and struck a high, knuckling shot that forced keeper Adam Braman to make a tough save for the Mustangs and earned a corner for UT Tyler. That corner was taken quickly, and after bouncing around, another corner was won, but the time would run out with the Patriots getting ready to attempt one final shot.
 
Next up for UT Tyler will be a road trip out to Lubbock, Texas where they will take on Lubbock Christian. That contest is scheduled for a 3:30 start.