TYLER, TEXAS – The Patriots held the lead on two different occasions on Saturday afternoon, but #2 CSU Pueblo had an answer each of those times and managed to scratch out a draw in the Texas heat.
 
The Thunderwolves outshot the Patriots 17-9 on the day, but the advantage in shots on goal only came down to 8-3 as UT Tyler played solid defense in some critical situations.
 
It didn't take long for the reigning national runner-up to get rolling, as just 11 minutes into the contest they connected on a goal to make it 1-0. That play came off of a turnover from the Patriots, and the Thunderwolves were able to quickly capitalize.
 
Not deterred, the Patriots had an answer as a foul drawn by Lukas Paulun earned a free kick in a dangerous position. Craig Chisholm stepped up to deliver the ball at the 21^st minute mark of the first half, and he delivered a beautiful ball just outside of the six yard box that found the head of Paulun for the tying goal.
 
Just 12 minutes later, it was another gritty play in the offensive half that won the ball deep in the Thunderwolves zone. The ensuing throw in moved the ball to the right side of the field and Isaiah Moreno collected it before launching another deep ball over to the back post right outside the box. On the other end of the pass was a streaking Chisholm, who put in a perfectly placed header to give the Patriots a 2-1 lead.
 
Both teams would lock into a battle on defense, but in the 39^th minute #2 CSU Pueblo began to get the engines turning again. A hard shot from the right side drilled the post, and eventually the Thunderwolves would win a corner. That corner was slung in and was rebounded several times before the Thunderwolves found their footing and chipped it into the net to knot up the game again.
 
In the second half, it was CSU Pueblo who held the early advantage as they pressed their attack. Keeper Diego Berlingeri held his ground tremendously, coming up with a pair of key saves in the 48^th and 63^rd minute to keep the game tied at two goals each.
 
After that 63^rd minute save, neither side found much footing until the Patriots struck again in the 79^th minute. Luis Mahecha drew another tough foul and a free kick just outside the box on the right side of the field. Nori Ito stepped up and slung in a hard ball to the back post yet again, and this time it was sophomore Hugo Marques who got his head to the ball for another beautiful header that resulted in a goal and a 3-2 lead.
 
That lead would last for just two and a half minutes as the #2 ranked Thunderwolves had the answer yet again. After winning a key corner kick, the Thunderwolves got the ball into a dangerous spot and forced Berlingeri into another diving save. That save rebounded the ball back into danger, and the Thunderwolves were able to capitalize on it and send it home for the tying goal.
 
The 3-3 tie caps off a tough week for the Patriots to open up the season as they took #9 St. Mary's and #2 CSU Pueblo to the brink before settling for a 0-1-1 start.
 
Lukas Paulun, Craig Chisholm, and Hugo Marques were the three goal scorers on the day for the Patriots, and Nori Ito, Isaiah Moreno, and Chisholm were each responsible for an assist.
 
It'll be a week off for UT Tyler as they next take the pitch on September 9 against Jarvis Christian. That night will also double as Military Appreciation Night and the game will kick off at approximately 7 p.m.