AUSTIN, Texas - Returning from a significant comeback win against Oklahoma Christian University on Wednesday, the Hilltoppers' efforts fell short against the UT Tyler Patriots, surrendering three goals in the second half. 
 
Prior to the opening whistle, the five graduating seniors – MASOOD PORSA, DONOVAN EERKES-MCCARTHY, ARTHUR SOUZA, PATO PADILLA, and IRVIN ABARCA – were celebrated alongside their families as they approach the end of their collegiate soccer careers. 
 
The Hilltoppers kept control of the game early, creating a chance in the first minutes with CHRISTIAN MEZAS — who scored two out of the three goals in the win against OC and confidently dribbled across the Patriots' defense throughout his 67 minutes on the pitch. Dominating possession gave the Hilltoppers ample space to constantly rotate the ball and apply pressure in the attacking third. 
 
The team's speed worked to their advantage in field switches, being able to block the Patriots' energy surges up their attacking field. The Hilltoppers played quickly and with sharp focus, tightening the gaps and stopping three back-to-back attempts by the Patriots over the last 10 minutes of the first half, when UT Tyler found its flow and shifted gears to a more aggressive approach.
 
"I think the energy switched at the end of the first half," head coach Brian Young said. "I feel like we got into a bit of a shell and didn't really step out to defend players around the field, and that translated into the second half."
 
Despite the shift in energy, both teams had seven shots in the first half, and the Hilltoppers still led in possession, accounting for 58% opposed to the Patriots' 42%.
 
After two back-to-back chances from the Hilltoppers in the second half —one from the area that transitioned to a corner kick — the Patriots picked up speed and moved into their attacking field. Patriot Luan Rangel bypassed PABLO ZAVALA and Abarca, opening up the scoreboard with a goal over a diving ANGEL RAMIREZ into the right corner of the net.
 
The momentum created put UT Tyler in heavy control, making strong surges possible and leading to a second goal through holes in the defense at the 67-minute mark.
 
With 14 minutes left, the Hilltoppers got a shot on goal in the middle of heavy Patriot presence in the box, but the play got called offside. A yellow on the Hilltoppers came shortly after, and Padilla shot a free kick straight into the Patriot goalkeeper Niclas Becker's hands.
 
Becker put the ball back into play quickly, giving the Patriots space to run a last play, scoring once more from the left side of the goal, extending their lead 3-0 with four minutes left. 
 
"I thought we had a better response after the second goal, I thought we pressed forward," Young said. "We just need to get better in one-versus-ones all throughout the whole field to deny players from easy dribbling moments like that."
 
Men's soccer goes to 4-2-1 in Lone Star Conference play and will return to the Lewis-Chen Family Field on Wednesday, Oct. 29, to face the University of Texas at Dallas, the top seed in the LSC.