TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler men's soccer picked up their second win of the season on Saturday afternoon in bittersweet fashion as they celebrated 12 seniors on Senior Day at Citizens 1^st Bank-Perkins Soccer Complex.
 
Diego Berlingeri, Bryan Rivas-Guzman, Luke Ryan, Amedeo Ammutinato, Reagan Fortner, Davis Mays, Julian Smith, Salomão Saboia, Keaton Hartman, Sam Coad, Omar Belahna, and Manaka Sato each were recognized as seniors in a pregame Senior Day ceremony for the program, and they will move on knowing they contributed to a big win on their home pitch.
 
The Patriots looked in complete control in the early going, and they put their first goal into the netting in just the eighth minute of action. Davis Mays was the man of action on the throw in, and he looped in a long throw that found the head of teammate Luan Rangel. Rangel was able to redirect his header to the near post, and it bounced just inside the post for a 1-0 lead.
 
Just under three minutes later, the Patriots again capitalized, this time on a corner kick. That corner went just long, but a Patriots header put it to William Kenne, Kenne then headed over to Julian Smith, who went back to Kenne with his pass. Kenne was able to dispatch the pass into the back of the net, and the Patriots went up 2-0 early.
 
Harding finally found a sliver of offense in the 14^th minute, breaking down the left side before swinging a pass near the box. However, the Patriots in their attempt to clear the ball accidently deflected it into their own goal, resulting in a 2-1 score.
 
Sensing the Bisons finding their footing, the Patriots put their foot back on the gas pedal, as Oscar Sosa broke the back line of Harding and then delivered a perfect pass to Niko Vasileiou in the middle of the box for a goal to make it 3-1.
 
Six minutes later, the Patriots again struck gold, this time as Omar Belahna took a beautiful pass from Bryan Rivas-Guzman on a free kick and touched it just under the Bisons keeper for the Patriots fourth and final goal of the contest.
 
The Patriots kept up the pressure in the second half, outshooting the Bisons 16-2 over the final 45, with seven of those going on the net. However, the Bisons goalkeeper was able to hold his ground, making several huge saves to keep the Patriots off the board as they continued to pour on the offense.
 
In total, UT Tyler outshot Harding 23-7, including a 11-1 advantage in shots on goal. Four different Patriots recorded a goal in the contest (Rangel, Kenne, Vasileiou, and Belahna) and four different Patriots recorded an assist (Mays, Smith, Sosa, Rivas-Guzman).
 
UT Tyler will now set their sights on their final non-conference game of the season on Wednesday night. They host St. Mary's at 6:30 p.m. at Citizens 1^st Bank-Perkins Soccer Complex in one final tune-up before the LSC slate begins.