| Match Info |
Opponent Info |
West Texas A&M vs. UT Tyler
WTAMU: 2-2-5, 0-0-1 LSC | UTT: 5-1-2, 0-0-1 LSC
Wednesday, Oct. 5 | 7:00 p.m.
Citizens 1st Bank-Perkins Soccer Complex
Tyler, Texas |
 |
ROSTER |
SCHEDULE |
STATS |
LOOKING TO GET ON THE BOARD
The Patriots officially opened Lone Star Conference play last Saturday and got things started with a 1-1 draw against UT Permian Basin. That point will surely prove crucial at the end of the season as the Patriots look to make the Lone Star Conference Tournament for the third consecutive season.
RETURNING TO HOME TURF
It's no secret that the Patriots have had extreme success inside Citizen's 1
st Bank-Perkins Soccer Complex over the years. In just the last three seasons alone, UT Tyler has gone 12-4-1 on their home field and has shown time and time again that it is a tough place to play at for visiting teams. This season alone UT Tyler is 4-0-1 and are scoring just under three goals per game while their opponents have yet to score in Tyler.
AROUND THE LONE STAR CONFERENCE
LSC play got underway just this past weeked for men's soccer, and three teams were able to position themselves at the top of the standings after the first game. Oklahoma Christian, St. Mary's, and DBU each collected three points for their opening victories. UT Tyler, West Texas A&M, UT Permian Basin, and Lubbock Christian all tied to open up play. Midwestern State, Eastern New Mexico, and Texas A&M International each began their slates with a loss.
REGIONAL RANKINGS
UT Tyler sticks to number eight in this weeks United Soccer Coaches South Central Region Rankings. The Patriots have been inside the top 10 in each week this season, and will look to bolster their resume beginning this week with a pair of critical matches that will go a long way towards making the NCAA Tournament.
| Rank |
School |
Prev |
W-L-T |
| 1 |
Colorado State University-Pueblo |
2 |
9-2-1 |
| 2 |
Midwestern State University |
1 |
6-1-2 |
| 3 |
Oklahoma Christian University |
4 |
7-1-2 |
| 4 |
St. Mary's University (Texas) |
3 |
5-0-4 |
| 5 |
University of Colorado-Colorado Springs |
5 |
8-1-3 |
| 6 |
Colorado School of Mines |
10 |
7-3-2 |
| 7 |
Metropolitan State University of Denver |
6 |
8-2-2 |
| 8 |
UT Tyler |
8 |
5-1-2 |
| 9 |
Colorado Mesa University |
7 |
6-4-1 |
| 10 |
West Texas A&M University |
9 |
2-2-5 |
SERIES HISTORY
The Patriots and Buffs have a short history that only dates back to 2019 and has led to just four total contests between the two programs. West Texas A&M holds a commanding 3-0-1 lead in the series, but the Patriots have not gone down lightly in any of the four contests. In the lone contest of the fall 2021 slate, the Patriots dropped a closely contested game by a score of 3-2 in which the Patriots nearly pulled off an incredible comeback to force overtime. This week's contest will be the first one in Tyler since February 23, 2021.
SCOUTING OUT THE BUFFS
So far in the 2022 season, West Texas A&M has played to a .500 record of 2-2-5. Of their LSC opponents, their record holds at 0-1-3 and they are 0-0-1 after the first weekend of LSC competition. The Buffs have played several quality opponents so far, including a win over RV Seattle Pacific and ties against #5 Midwestern State and #17 Oklahoma Christian.
On the statistical side, the Buffs come in ranked 13
th in all of Division II in shots per game at 16.67. Among LSC teams, the Buffs are fourth in corner kicks per game, fifth in goal differential, fifth in save percentage, and fourth in team goals against average.
Unquestionably leading the way on offense is senior Kenny Brown. Brown has six goals so far for the Buffs and is the only West Texas A&M player with more than one. Giancarlo Saldana leads with three assists so far, with all but one of those assists going to Brown.
Butch Lauffer is in the midst of his 32
nd season coaching West Texas A&M and is the longest tenured coach in West Texas A&M history. He has led the program to 29 consecutive non-losing seasons and has a career record of 365-163-45. Most recently, Lauffer led the Buffs to the round of 16 in the NCAA tournament during the 2021 season.
NEXT ON THE SLATE
Next up for the Patriots will be a road trip to Oklahoma City to take on #16 Oklahoma Christian. It will be a quick road trip for UT Tyler as they will be right back at home next Wednesday to take on #8 Midwestern State in another big test for the Patriots.
