CANYON, Texas – West Texas A&M men's soccer played to a 1-1 draw with the UT Tyler Patriots on Saturday afternoon in Canyon. The Buffs (2-4-3) and Patriots (2-3-3) both moved their Lone Star Conference records to 0-0-2.
After action lived in the midfield for the opening minutes of the game, WT won a ball off a header in the center circle. Once
Dominic Murphy settled possession, the Liverpool, England native played a ball through the defense for
Quintin Benn-John. As he neared the 18-yard box, Benn-John beat a defender and fired a shot into the back corner of the goal for a 1-0 lead. The Buffs looked to build on their advantage five minutes later when
Zakaria Daaou fired a shot to the near post, but UT Tyler goalkeeper Alan Johnson pushed the attempt away. In the 29
th minute,
Luke Southerington recorded his first save of the afternoon as Jordan Toy placed a shot on frame. Later in the first half, the Patriots tested Southerington twice over a 30 second span, but the WT goalkeeper was up to the task as he saved both shots. As the first half went under five minutes to play,
Antonio De La Torre dialed up a shot where Johnson made another save. With the Buffs holding a 1-0 lead, the two teams went into the break.
UT Tyler pushed the pace early in the second half, advancing up the field. As the Patriots looked to tie the game, a crossing pass into the center of the box took a deflection. Before UT Tyler could come in and put the ball away, Southerington covered up to slow the attack. The Patriots continued to press for a game-tying goal, recording four shots before allowing WT's first shot of the second half in the 69
th minute. In the 72
nd minute, UT Tyler tied the game after a Buffalo foul set up a free kick just outside the box. On the restart, Danny DeMarias rifled a shot through the box and beat Southerington to the near post. With the game now tied, WT found a new sense of urgency. De La Torre placed another shot on frame in the 77
th minute which Johnson initially bobbled, but the Patriots' keeper gathered and cleared the ball away. Over the final 10 minutes, Southerington kept the game tied. In the final 30 seconds of the match, UT Tyler looked to stun the Buffs, but a last-second shot went high.
WT continues Lone Star Conference action on Wednesday, Oct. 9 in Edmond, Okla. where a matchup with Oklahoma Christian awaits. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.
