TYLER, TEXAS – Two first half goals provided all of the insurance UT Tyler men's soccer needed as they posted yet another shutout and moved their record to 5-0-1.
 
That record through six games continues to extend the best mark of the Division II era for UT Tyler and is only behind the 2003 season as the best start in school history.
 
It didn't take too much time for Nolan Giles to get his name back into the scoring sheet, and it was the first shot of the match for either team that found its way into the net.
 
The freshman duo of Thato Meko and Giles have been strong thus far into the year, and they showed off their chemistry on the first goal of the game. Giles picked up a loose ball before chipping it to Meko, who then allowed Giles to make his run to the box before hitting a nice pass that allowed Giles to finish strong.
 
That goal would prove huge, as the Falcons were able to counter quickly over the next five minutes of action. The Falcons put up four shots in two separate sequences, but Asier Vegas stayed calm in goal and allowed nothing past him.
 
The first of which was a hard driven shot that Vegas had to make a diving save to his right, and he was able to deflect it out, however it fell straight into a Falcons attacker, who hit a shot that deflected off of the post and out of play.
 
Just under two minutes later, another shot was blocked by a Patriots defender, before being struck yet again at Vegas. Vegas was able to calmly scoop up the shot and prevent any chances.
 
Both teams settled into a defensive type game, with no real quality chances from either side. That all changed in the 44^th minute of the first half as Andre Cavichione put his name into the goal scoring category for the first time all season. Julian Maud was able to chip a pass out wide to Jasub Flores, who hooked in a cross that Cavichione collected nicely before striking a strong shot to the right side of the goal.
 
In the half, it was UT Permian Basin holding a 5-3 shots advantage but the difference was Vegas had stopped the two shots that had gone his way.
 
In the second half, the Patriots defense looked to play the same suffocating style that they have used all season long, and they did exactly that. The Falcons were only able to post two shots in the first 25 minutes of the second half, and only one of those went on goal. That shot came at the 61^st minute and was easily collected by Vegas in net.
 
The Patriots took just two total shots in the second half, but their stifling defense was more than enough to get the job done. Vegas was forced to make three more saves, the first of which was a nice save on a dangerous cross. The second was another nice save on a well struck ball that he made a step to his right and collected. The final save came on a ball that was struck softly towards the near post that was collected calmly.
 
UT Tyler's defense was able to keep hold of the game, allowing only one more shot over the final 15 minutes and secure yet another shutout.
 
UT Tyler has allowed just one goal in six games and continue to impress on the defensive side of the ball.
 
Nolan Giles has now scored a team-leading four goals and today's goal was his first since September 3 against DBU.
 
Thato Meko collected his team-leading third assist, which was also his first since DBU on September 3.
 
Next up for the Patriots will be their final non-conference game of the season as they hit the road for the first time since September 3 to take on Texas A&M International. That game will take place on Wednesday, September 21 in Laredo, Texas.