Box Score DALLAS, TEXAS – UT Tyler men's soccer will begin 2024 with a 1-1 draw against DBU after a late goal from Julian Smith pulled the two teams level with just seven minutes remaining.
 
The draw improves the Patriots record against DBU in non-conference games dating back to 2019 to 4-0-1, and moves the all-time record to 7-5-1 in UT Tyler's favor.
 
Neither side found the netting in the first half of play despite 12 total shots between the two sides. Of those 12 shots, eight belonged to UT Tyler while three of those went on net, forcing DBU to make a trio of saves before the 45 minute mark of the contest.
 
Out of the halftime break, UT Tyler ramped up the offensive pressure, forcing another pair of saves within five minutes of the second half beginning. Following those frantic first minutes however, both sides mustered just three total shots over the next 24 minutes of action as both defenses took over the contest.
 
In the 75^th minute, DBU finally broke through to open up the scoring. They collected a loose ball deep in their own end, stringing together a pair of passes to open up Peyton Voelker just inside the box, who chipped it into the net just over the Patriots goalkeeper.
 
Almost exactly seven minutes later, UT Tyler responded with their own gorgeous goal, a beautiful play coming off of a loose ball deep in their own half as well. Oscar Samuel Hernandez found space down the left sideline before delivering a pass to Omar Belahna near the top of the box. He used a one-touch pass to find a streaking Julian Smith in stride, and he finished off the pass with a perfect strike under the DBU goalkeeper to knot the score at 1-1.
 
The Patriots drew one last dangerous free kick opportunity in the 89^th minute, but the shot attempt was blocked and the end of the game was signaled.
 
In total, UT Tyler outshot DBU by a margin of 13-8, with a 6-2 advantage in shots on goal. The Patriots forced DBU into five saves, and both sides picked up a trio of yellow cards throughout the game.
 
UT Tyler will now return to the friendly sight of Citizens 1^st Bank-Perkins Soccer Complex for a Saturday night affair with Jarvis Christian at 7 p.m.