TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler exploded for seven goals in the opening 33 minutes and held on for a 9-3 victory over East Central on Wednesday evening at Citizens First Bank-Perkins Soccer Complex.
The Patriots wasted little time finding their offensive rhythm, scoring twice in the opening six minutes to take an early 2-0 advantage.
Marin Love opened the scoring in the sixth minute off an assist from Celine Diaz, and just one second later, Diaz found the back of the net to double the Patriots' lead.
Lexi Luff pushed the advantage to 3-0 in the 13th minute after receiving a pass from Ava Harris, before Ella Anderson converted a penalty kick in the 17th minute to make it 4-0.
UT Tyler continued to pour on the offense late in the opening half. Danica Anaya scored in the 32nd minute off an assist from Quinn Wolfe, before Wolfe found the back of the net twice in a span of just 32 seconds to push the Patriots' advantage to 7-0. Wolfe finished the night with a team-high five points, recording two goals and an assist.
East Central opened the second half with two goals in the first five minutes to cut into the Patriots' lead, but UT Tyler answered with two more goals of its own.
Nicole Nguyen added to the Patriots' advantage in the 63rd minute with an assist from Sarah Hayes. Halli Keese then found the back of the net in the 69th minute off an assist from Kayden Raney to make it 9-2.
East Central added one final goal in the 89th minute, but the Patriots closed out the 9-3 victory.
UT Tyler finished the night with a 30-5 advantage in shots and put 16 attempts on target. The Patriots also recorded seven corner kicks and assisted on seven of their nine goals.
The Patriots move to 1-1-0 on the season and will return to action Saturday, Sept. 5, for their final non-conference match of the season. UT Tyler will travel to Northeastern State for a 5 p.m. kickoff.
