RICHARDSON, Texas - The UT Dallas men's soccer team kicked off the 2026 campaign with a 1-1 tie against Colorado Mesa at the UTD Soccer Field Thursday night.
The game was physical, with 33 combined fouls called and nine total yellow cards issued.
The Comets recorded two shots on goal in the first half, but Mavericks goalkeeper Nathan Beck saved attempts by
Parker Bowman and
Marcel Zouzouambe.
UTD pressured early in the second period as
Osi Iyamah and
Josh Zemanski shots on target were stopped by Beck in the first 10 minutes.
Richard Tabares Ochoa found the back of the net for CMU in the 59th minute after a pass from Kamden Kooiman.
The Mavs' Jonah Elstad had a shot stopped by
Ryder Claborn in the 69th minute.
In the 85th minute, Iyamah netted the equalizer for the Comets. Claborn's free kick found
Julio De Los Reyes, whose header set up a cutting Iyamah for a finish past Beck from the left side.
Neither team managed a shot in the closing minutes of the contest.
UTD outshot CMU 10-9 overall and 5-2 on goal.
UT Dallas Notes
- This was the earliest regular season game played in program history.
- Iyamah scored the third goal of his career.
- De Los Reyes' assist was the second of his career. He has recorded a point in his last three games, dating back to last season.
- Claborn posted one save and the first assist of his career.
- Ten student-athletes made their debut for UT Dallas -
Parker Bowman, Ossian Elgström,
Luca Foschi,
Aaron Pondeca,
Jonathan Sorto,
Alexis Cruz,
Owen Lagerway,
George Eddy,
Seb Martinez and
Gavin Vo.
- Over 29 seasons, the Comets have had 425 players don the uniform on the pitch.
Colorado Mesa Notes
- Beck posted four saves in goal.
- Tabaras Ochoa scored the goal and took two shots.
- Elstad also recorded two shots, one on goal.
- Daniel Ehler, George Jones and Alfonso Taborda each played all 90 minutes.
Up Next
- UTD will face Cal State East Bay at home on Saturday at 7 p.m.
