LAREDO, TEXAS – UT Tyler men's soccer went down for the first time all season on Wednesday night after a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Texas A&M International.
 
Two second half goals from the Dustdevils proved to be all the difference in the final non-conference game for UT Tyler this season.
 
Neither team was able to get much going in the first half as both teams combined for just six total shots in the period. For the Patriots, their first of two shots came just eight minutes into the game as Thato Meko struck one high.
 
For the Dustdevils, they were able to get two of their first half shots on goal, but Asier Vegas was there to make the save in both instances. The first of which was a huge save as the Dustdevils broke free on a long pass and hit a rocket to the left side of the goal but Vegas was there for a diving stop. The second came just eight minutes later but had far less pace and Vegas was able to handle it easily.
 
In the second half, UT Tyler got its first big opportunity on a goal just 10 minutes into the period. A free kick was earned by the Patriots and Zach Pannagiotou stepped up to take the set piece. He delivered a good low pass right to the head of Brajdi Cekrezi, who chipped it up high in the air but the Dustdevils keeper was able to come down with it.
 
However, on the counter attack, Texas A&M International was able to strike first, connecting on a string of passes to put them inside the box quickly. After a cross was deflected out, it landed at the feet of Tajani Fairclough, who sent a centering pass to Ricardo Casso, who calmly delivered a strike to the near post to break the tie.
 
The Patriots were able to get another strong chance, after another free kick was awarded in nearly the same spot as before. Pannagiotou stepped in to deliver another pass, and connected with Craig Chisolm on the back post but the Dustdevils keeper was there again.
 
With just under 15 minutes remaining, the Dustdevils were able to connect on the insurance goal they were seeking. This time a loose ball was cleared out of the box by the Patriots, but it landed in front of a Dustdevils player yet again, who was able to send in a pass to Fairclough who finished the goal just inside the right post.
 
It was just the third time this season that the Patriots have been outshot, and just the second time they have been held under 10 shots for the game.
 
Their record now falls to 5-1-1 on the season as they will look to bounce back as Lone Star Conference play begins next week. UT Tyler will get a big 10 day break for the first time this season and get a chance to rest and recover. Their next contest will come against UT Permian Basin on October 1. That game will be on the road in Odessa, Texas as the Patriots will look to start 1-0 in conference play.