FRISCO, TEXAS – UT Tyler men's soccer dropped to 2-3-1 on the season after a narrow 1-0 decision against Saint Martin's on Thursday night on a neutral field in Frisco, Texas.
 
UT Tyler posted a 12-2 shots advantage and had 13 total corner kicks but were unable to take advantage.
 
Six of those shots and eight of those corner kicks came in the first half as both teams made it to halftime at 0-0. The Patriots controlled momentum early and throughout the half, and nearly broke through in the 26^th minute as Oscar Sosa struck a hard shot that saw the Saints keeper make a tough save, and then the ensuing rebound saw another shot but it was blocked.
 
UT Tyler pressed forward with four shots over the remainder of the half by four different players, but none would be on target as the half closed in a draw.
 
In the second half, Sosa was back on the offensive push, putting another pair of shots on goal in the 52^nd and 54^th minute, but neither had a lot on it and were saved by the keeper.
 
The critical moment of the game came in the 69^th minute, as Saint Martin's made a push down the sideline and eventually broke free for a one-on-one with keeper Niclas Becker. Becker came off of his line but made contact, ultimately drawing a red card and allowing the Saints to head to the penalty spot.
 
They would convert, and they held the 1-0 lead in the 69^th minute on what would be their only shot on goal for the game.
 
Just over a minute later, a handball from Saint Martin's in their own box would earn a penalty kick for UT Tyler. However, that kick would be saved by the Saints keeper, and the score stayed 1-0.
 
Down the stretch, Sosa would put up a pair of shots in the 87^th minute, with one being blocked and the other just going over the bar, ultimately closing out the offensive chances for the Patriots in the contest.
 
Sosa totaled seven shots, with three going on goal. Jesus Rivas-Guzman added a pair of shots, and Henrique Caputo added the other shot on goal.
 
UT Tyler will be back to work on Saturday at 12 p.m. as they take on Simon Fraser. That game will take place at the Toyota Soccer Center and serve as the final non-conference game of the year.