TYLER, TX (10.25.15) - The No. 12-ranked UT Dallas men's soccer team was handed just its second loss of the season Sunday afternoon after a 3-2 loss at Texas-Tyler in American Southwest Conference play.
The Comets (now 13-2-2, 6-1-1 ASC) out-shot Texas-Tyler, 14-12, but could not overcome two penalty kicks by the host Patriots. With the win, Texas-Tyler improved to 8-3-2 overall (6-0-1 ASC) to take over the conference lead heading into the final week of the regular season.
The Patriots opened the scoring just 1:17 into the game on a penalty kick by Leonardo Fernandez. Texas-Tyler doubled its lead to 2-0 in the 9th minute on a tally by Lucas Pereira and added a second penalty kick by Fernandez with just over 15 minutes left in the first half.
Kevin Whatley got the Comets on the board in the 36th minute, thanks to an assist from
Daaron McFarling, cutting the Patriots' lead to 3-1 at the half. McFarling would add a goal in the 73rd minute, assisted by
Andrew Jenson, but the Comets could not find the equalizer.
Michael Matthews led UTD with four shots and
Jordan Rubel and
Danny Meyer each finished with three shots.
Joseph Weber made three saves for the Comets in goal.
The Comets return to action Thursday night as they host Louisiana College in their final ASC game of the season. Game time is 7 p.m. at the UTD Soccer Field.
