TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler men's soccer earned a crucial point on Saturday afternoon after a 2-2 draw with Lubbock Christian on Senior Day for the program.
The Chaps came into the day leading the LSC standings, but the Patriots late goal from
Luan Rangel stole away a key point as they got their first point in LSC play this season.
UT Tyler celebrated the careers of 12 seniors as they enter into the final games of their season with the program.
Tony Ngombi,
Naoyuki Tani,
Jaxson Stovall,
Mika Zarkesh,
Joseph Musungaie,
William Kenne,
Luan Rangel,
Hugo Marques,
Carlos Galan,
Sid Cleofe,
Oscar Sosa, and
Danny DeMarais were each honored in a ceremony pregame.
The Patriots wasted no time in getting things going as they scored just 6:09 into the contest. An errant pass from the Chaps bounced to the feet of
Niko Vasileiou, who was able to turn a fire a shot with his left foot to make it 1-0.
16 minutes later, the Chaps found their first shot on goal as they took a shot from just outside the box that was saved by keeper
Luke Ryan. That ensuing rebound however bounced into a favorable spot, and the Chaps were able to slot it home to even up the score.
The Patriots would crank up the offense to end the half, getting three shots on goal from
Hugo Marques,
Jaxson Stovall, and
Henrique Caputo, but each were saved and preserved a 1-1 draw heading into the half.
Both teams would trade shots on goal to open up the second half, but neither side was able to truly get it rolling until after the 80
th minute of play.
In the 84
th minute, the Chaps would strike again, getting a great pass up the middle of the field that was then slotted home inside the left post to take a 2-1 lead.
In a near last gasp attempt in the 88
th minute, the Patriots got the ball to
Oscar Sosa on the left. He looped in a pass to Noe Coutiño, who dropped it off smoothly to
Luan Rangel who was able to drill the shot inside the right post and tie the game and earn the point.
Rangel's goal is his third of the year and also makes him the new leader on the team.
Niko Vasileiou recorded three shots and one goal, and
William Kenne recorded three shots.
UT Tyler will be back to work on Wednesday night as they host St. Mary's at 5 p.m. at Citizens 1st Bank-Perkins Soccer Complex.