ALPINE, Texas - The UT Dallas men's soccer team opened its American Southwest Conference schedule with a 1-0 shutout at Sul Ross State Thursday afternoon.

The Comets (5-2-2, 1-0 ASC) scored the only goal of the game just 1:34 into the contest after a goal kick and five passes. Sophomore midfielder Omega Eyassu split a pair of defenders and found a sprinting Blayne Martinez, who scored after blasting a shot from the right side.

The Comets continued their stifling defense efforts, limiting the Lobos (0-4-2, 0-1 ASC) to just eight shots and four on goal. Sophomore keeper Michael Hesse stopped four shots and was surrounded by the defensive unit of Martinez, Kayson Marriott, Gavin Smith, Nate Patton, Vuahgn Morgan and Adrian Solano.

For the game, UTD outshot SRSU 14-8 overall and 8-4 on goal. The Comets also had a 7-0 advantage in corner kicks, while the foul count was eight for the visitors and six for the Lobos.

UT Dallas Notes
- The game was the first shutout for Hesse.
- Martinez scored the first goal of his freshman season.
- Martinez and Riley O'Donnell each took two shots on goal.
- Nahome Abraham, Morgan, Leo Castro and Hamza Syed also recorded a shot on goal.

Sul Ross State Notes
- Julian Sandoval posted seven saves in goal.
- Pablo Herrera, Nana Prempeh, Ryan Seldon and Xavier Russell each recorded a shot on goal.

Up Next
The Comets continue their ASC-opening road trip at Howard Payne in Brownwood, Texas on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.