SHERMAN, Texas - The UT Dallas men's soccer team opened the 2024 regular season with a 3-1 victory over Austin at the Pierce Complex Saturday night.

The Comets (1-0) opened the scoring in the ninth minute off a corner kick header attempt by Kaleem Shabout that was saved and the rebound knocked in by Cole Morgan. 

The Roos (1-3) tied the game in the 53rd minute when Matheus Brad drove in a shot from just outside the top of the box after a UTD turnover. Just 44 seconds later, Riley O'Donnell threaded a pass from the far left side past three AC defenders, which found a racing Benny Lube, giving the Comets a 2-1 advantage.

The final goal came in the 82nd minute after keeper Anthony Alston booted a free kick downfield and was touched by Lube and Dailyn Crawley before Jacob Culpepper found the net.

The Comets outshot the Roos 25-17 overall and 7-4 on goal. AC committed more fouls, 16-7, and UTD led in corner kicks 5-4.

UT Dallas Notes
- The Comets improve to 17-3-4 all-time against the Roos.
- Lube led UTD with the game-winning goal and an assist. He now has three goals and three assists in his career. It was Lube's first game-winning goal.
- Morgan's goal was the eighth in his career.
- Culpepper netted a goal in his Comet debut.
- Shabout's assist was the third in his career. He also played all 90 minutes.
- O'Donnell moved into a tie for seventh place on UTD"s all-time points list with 69.
- Alston came up with three saves in his first collegiate start.
- 12 players made their Comet debut - Alston, Culpepper, Crawley, Gabriel Sasso, Jet Thomson, Osi Iyamah, Diego Flamenco, Carson Burden, Anton Van Efferink, Jayden Messiah, Jason Torres and Joshua Hackett.

Austin Notes
- Braid had the only goal and took two shots for the Roos.
- Pierce Wear took three shots.
- Sam Spencer and Jonah Ferrante also recorded shots on goal.
- Jayson Baldwin had four saves in goal.
- Spencer and Justin Ajduokvich played all 90 minutes.

Up Next
UTD will host Schreiner at 3 p.m. at the UTD Soccer Field.