TYLER, TEXAS – A highlight-reel save from keeper
Camri Cecil and a goal with less than five minutes remaining in the match from
Sydnee Garner allowed UT Tyler to remain unbeaten with a 2-1 win over Rogers State on Saturday afternoon.
UT Tyler didn't allow an early deficit discourage them in the second of five home matches to start 2022, outshooting the Hillcats by a 25-to-5 final tally. Rogers State found the back of the net on a well-placed shot from outside the box on their lone shot attempt of the first half less than five minutes into the contest.
From that point forward in the opening 45 minutes, it was all UT Tyler as the Patriots recorded 9 straight unanswered shots before senior
Samaris Alvarado finally netted the equalizer in the 36
th minute. Alvarado's second goal of the 2022 season came on a beautifully place shot after freshman
Melissa Olliveira put a through ball past the Hillcat back line.
The Patriots controlled possession in the first half, outshooting Rogers State by an 11-to-1 margin in the opening 45 minutes of action, and took the 1-1 tie into the halftime break.
The control continued for UT Tyler through the second half before Rogers State manufactured their lone chance of the second half on a rocket shot to the upper half of the goal that Cecil was able to make a highlight-reel, diving save on to keep the 1-1 score in-tact in the 80
th minute.
Garner then put across the game winner in the 85
th minute, redirecting a touch from Alvarado in the box to make it 2-1 in favor of the Patriots. UT Tyler once again dominated the possession, the tempo and the shot count in the second half, putting 14 total shots and six shots on goal in the final 45 minutes of action.
Alvarado's goal and assist brings her point total up to five for the year after scoring in the opening 4-1 win over Texas A&M-Texarkana for the Patriots. UT Tyler is now 2-0 on the year for the second season in a row, and has quite simply gotten the better of their opposition in all 180 minutes play thus far in 2022.
Alvarado led UT Tyler with five shots in the match, three of which were on target, while six different Patriots registered two shot attempts.
UT Tyler will look to continue their winning streak to open 2022 on Monday afternoon in a home match scheduled for noon against McPherson College.