TYLER, Texas — BARTEK ZABEK scored with 1:31 remaining to pull St. Edward's men's soccer back from a late deficit, earning the Hilltoppers a 2-2 draw against UT Tyler on Saturday at Citizens First Bank-Perkins Soccer Complex.
IZAIAH GARZA gave St. Edward's a first-half lead, but the Patriots answered with two second-half goals, moving ahead in the 82nd minute. Zabek delivered the response in the 89th, scoring his fourth goal of the season to secure a conference point on the road.
The Hilltoppers created opportunities early, with FILIP ADAMSKI forcing UT Tyler goalkeeper Niclas Becker into a save in the sixth minute. ISAAC GUAJARDO followed with a shot wide, and St. Edward's earned consecutive corner kicks before KALEO PEREZ-FRANCIS made his first save against Owen Dakin in the ninth minute.
UT Tyler generated pressure through five first-half corner kicks, but the Hilltoppers consistently got bodies in front of the Patriots' attempts. St. Edward's blocked six of UT Tyler's eight shots before halftime, including four from Luis Martinez, limiting the Patriots to one attempt on goal.
Garza supplied the breakthrough at the 26:28 mark, scoring his third goal of the season to put St. Edward's ahead. The Hilltoppers carried that advantage into halftime, holding a narrow edge in possession while UT Tyler led 8-7 in shots.
The Patriots increased their pressure after the break, generating 11 shots and putting six on goal. Caden Naizer brought UT Tyler level in the 57th minute, scoring off an assist from Martinez.
St. Edward's withstood another wave of chances to keep the match even. The Hilltoppers were credited with a team save against Anthony Licea in the 65th minute, then blocked his follow-up attempt. Perez-Francis added saves against Dennis Nyame and Jamie Joyce just 12 seconds apart in the 68th minute.
The Hilltoppers worked toward a second goal of their own, with Guajardo testing Becker in the 75th minute and Garza sending an attempt wide. Perez-Francis also denied Jesus Rivas-Guzman during that stretch, keeping the teams level heading into the closing minutes.
UT Tyler broke through at 81:47 when Nyame scored off Martinez's second assist of the match, leaving St. Edward's a little more than eight minutes to find an answer.
Zabek sent a shot over the crossbar in the 86th minute, then converted his next opportunity at 88:29 to tie the match. The Hilltoppers defended two UT Tyler corner kicks in the final minute to preserve the draw.
Zabek led St. Edward's with five shots, while Garza, Guajardo, and SHUNJI WATANABE each added two. Perez-Francis finished with four saves, supplemented by the team save. ALEX LOYA, EASTON JONES, and JACKSON STUBBS each played the full 90 minutes.
UT Tyler finished with a 19-14 advantage in shots, a 7-4 edge in shots on goal, and 10 corner kicks to St. Edward's three.
The Hilltoppers move to 3-6-4 overall and 2-3-2 in Lone Star Conference play, earning points in three consecutive matches. UT Tyler moves to 4-5-5 overall and 2-4-2 in conference.
