TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler men's soccer fell by a score of 1-0 to St. Mary's on Wednesday night under the lights at Citizens 1^st Bank-Perkins Soccer Complex.
 
A goal in the final 30 seconds of the first half from St. Mary's provided the only goal of the night for either side.
 
A sluggish start for both teams saw no shots on goal for the first 20 minutes of play, but the Patriots would take two over the next seven minutes from the feet of William Kenne and Javi Gonzalez and force the Rattlers goalkeeper into action.
 
One of the key moments for the Patriots first half came in the 38^th minute, where Carlos Galan took the best look on goal. He received a pass and dribbled to his right into space, and ripped a shot that the Rattlers keeper made a tough save on to keep the zero on the board.
 
In the final minute of the half, the Rattlers would strike as they connected on their first two shots on goal. The first one was saved by keeper Niclas Becker, but the ensuing rebound was able to be slipped past him and into the net for a 1-0 lead.
 
Arguably the best chances of the game for the Patriots came in the 51^st minute, as Anthony Licea had a pair of chances from a tight angle. The first shot was saved as the Rattlers keeper fell to the ground, and the shot from the rebound saw just enough of a hand get to it and deflect it away and keep the Rattlers lead at 1-0.
 
The Patriots would muster up four more shots over the rest of the game, but none would go on target as the Rattlers defense held off the Patriots pressure.
 
Licea, Kenne, Gonzalez, and Luan Rangel would each record two shots in the contest, with Licea leading the way with two on goal.
 
The Patriots will now hit the road this weekend as they take on Sul Ross State down in Alpine, Texas. That game is set for a 1 p.m. kickoff on Saturday afternoon.