TYLER, TEXAS – It was a day of celebration for UT Tyler as they came up with a big 2-0 victory while honoring several seniors for their efforts with the program.
 
Jacob Contreras, Kobe Coleman, Brajdi Cekrezi, Malte Andres, Gerardo Ramirez, Shane Popieluch, Sergio Sola, and Birkir Eydal were each celebrated with a short ceremony pregame for their efforts within the program as they move on from UT Tyler men's soccer following the season.
 
The story of the day was the Patriots defense for the middle 87 minutes of the contest after scoring a goal just two minutes into the game and another goal with just 32 seconds remaining in the contest.
 
The scoring started early as UT Tyler took a key 1-0 advantage just two minutes into the contest. Sola collected a ball just off the top of the box, and delivered a nice pass outside to Cekrezi. Cekrezi was able to corral that, and after a couple of dribbles delivered a low, seeking cross to the head of a streaking Andres that was delivered into the back of the net.
 
With the score 1-0, the Patriots offense kept the pressure up, outshooting the Hillcats 3-1 over the next 10 minutes of play. Rogers State dug deep and began to battle their way back into the game with several quality chances.
 
The first of those chances came at the 15 minute mark, after Erik Hjertsson hit a rocket that struck the top crossbar and fell right back into the six yard box. That ball was then struck in for a goal, but was waved off after the side referee ruled offsides.
 
Just a minute later, the Hillcats were back in with more pressure, this time forcing Mathias Eriksen to make his first save of the game.
 
With all of the momentum firmly with RV Rogers State, they kept up the heat, creating more quality looks at the 30 minute mark. This time a shot from Marcos Vasallo went off the crossbar, and Eriksen made another save just a minute later.
 
Both teams battled squarely for the remainder of the half, and the Patriots were able to take a 1-0 advantage into the locker room. UT Tyler held the halftime advantage over the Hillcats in the shot category by a 10-6 margin, and also posted a 7-1 advantage in corner kicks.
 
The Patriots came out of the locker room firing in the second half, outshooting the Hillcats 10-1 over the first 35 minutes of the second half.
 
The final 10 minutes proved to be full of chaos as UT Tyler looked to hold on to their slim margin. After getting the ball deep inside Patriots territory for multiple minutes, the Hillcats got their first shot off, a rocket from Hjertsson that was deflected away by Eriksen. Another shot followed, and the Hillcats had seized momentum.
 
With just two minutes to play, the Patriots were pulling out all of the stops as they tried to sneak away with victory. The Hillcats put up one final gasp as Vasallo drilled another shot towards Eriksen, but the junior came up clutch with another big save.
 
With just 32 seconds remaining, Eriksen sent a deep goal kick up towards the midfield stripe, where Popieluch was able to send it forward with a nice flick. Cekrezi turned on the jets, splitting a pair of defenders before launching a laser with his boot that deflected off of the Hillcats keeper and into the net.
 
The goal would be the final nail in the contest for UT Tyler, as they came away with their first win over a team associated with the national poll since a victory over #16 St. Mary's back on March 30, 2021.
 
The victory makes UT Tyler 4-0 for the first time in the Division II era, and for the first time since 2014.
 
The Patriots have won all four of their games by at least two goals, a feat that has not been accomplished since the 2003 season.
 
The Patriots now get to continue their homestand, as they will welcome in St. Mary's on September 14^th at 5 p.m. for a non-conference matchup. On Saturday, September 17^th, the Patriots welcome in UT Permian Basin for the final game of a four game homestand.