TYLER, Texas – CHRISTIAN MEZAS scored a clutch goal in the final 30 seconds to answer a late goal by UT-Tyler and earn a 1-1 draw for the St. Edward's men's soccer team. 
 
The game opened slowly, with only two shots in the first 20 minutes. ARTHUR SOUZA missed wide right in the ninth minute and then wide left in the 17th, while UT-Tyler managed just a pair of corner kicks with no shots. 
 
Bryan Guzman-Riva generated the Patriots' first shot in the 26th minute, and UT-Tyler went to its bench shortly after. The fresh legs helped UT-Tyler find some footing with three unanswered shots, including one on goal from Davis Mays stopped by Hilltopper keeper ANGEL RAMIREZ. A few minutes later, Ramirez stopped another shot, and the Patriots missed two more to end the first half scoreless. 
 
The second half was more similar until Danny DeMarias intercepted a pass near midfield and quickly found Niko Vasileiou for a goal in the 84th minute. The Patriots kept the pressure on with shots from Amadeo Ammutinato and Salomao Saboia that sailed off target. 
 
SHUNJI WATANABE generated a deflected shot in the 87th minute, earning an unfruitful corner. St. Edward's caught a break when an injured Patriot stopped the clock in the final 30 seconds before a Hilltopper throw-in from the deep corner. 
 
St. Edward's brought Ramirez up from goalie into the box to bring extra numbers in the closing seconds. HUNTER MERRITT triggered the long throw-in; Ramirez put a head on it and found Mezas, who rocketed the equalizer into the back of the net. 
 
The Hilltoppers are now 5-4-4 with a 3-1-3 conference record. St. Edward's will travel to play Sul Ross on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.