DALLAS, TEXAS – UT Tyler came away with a well-earned point in Lone Star Conference play with a 1-1 tie on the road at #9 Dallas Baptist.
Freshman
Halli Keese scored the equalizer off a cross from
Sydnee Garner that rattled off her chest and into the back of the DBU net with less than five minutes remaining on the clock. That score insured UT Tyler would have a point to show for in what was an otherwise balanced match across the board.
Both teams finished with 17 shots and matched each other's pace for essentially all 90 minutes of action. UT Tyler blocked two of Dallas Baptist's best chances in the opening half in what would eventually be key plays in the 1-1 result.
The first blocked shot came off of rebounded shot in the 16
th minute following an extra-effort save by keeper
Emily Clark on a set piece deep in UT Tyler territory. Junior
Katelyn Walerczyk maintained great positioning on the deflection, saving a goal on the goal line and ending the threat.
Fellow backliner
Brooklyn Robinson repeated nearly the same thing five minutes before the halftime break, saving another ball on the Patriot goal line to keep the match scoreless at the conclusion of the first half. UT Tyler added offensive pressure to those outstanding defensive plays, totaling seven shots, but couldn't manage to break the scoreless battle.
The start of the second half mirrored the high-level of play displayed in the opening 45 minutes of action. UT Tyler had the first quality chance for either side in the 62
nd minute as
Samaris Alvarado and Walercyzk both had headers off of a free kick blocked away by Dallas Baptist.
Dallas Baptist finally capitalized on a set piece in the 72
nd minute to take the 1-0 advantage.
UT Tyler kept the offensive pressure and finally found the back of the net in the 85
th minute. Garner beat her defender to the corner and put a great ball into the DBU box that went off of the chest of Keese and past the out-stretched arms of the keeper for the equalizer.
The first goal of Keese's career notched a second consecutive 1-1 tie in the all-time series against Dallas Baptist for UT Tyler. Both teams stand with eight points towards their Lone Star Conference standing.
Walercyzk led UT Tyler with two of their nine shots on goals. Senior
Launa Torrez paced the Patriots in total shots with three.
Clark was outstanding in net, making five saves in the game, four of which came in the first half to keep the match scoreless through 45 minutes of play.
UT Tyler will return home on Saturday against UT Permian Basin for a 1 p.m. kick-off.