THE RUNDOWN
The DBU Men's Soccer team came up just short in their second game of the year in the matchup with West Texas A&M in Canyon by a score of 1-0.

On a gusty and drizzly Saturday afternoon the Patriots would compete in a very tight match with the Buffs that came all the way down to the wire. In the first half, DBU and West Texas went back on forth, with both sides seeing solid possession of the ball and several good opportunities. Patriot left back Christian Naizer was active on both ends of the field for DBU today. Nazier would put in several challenges and intercept multiple passes on the defensive side of the ball. The Midlothian native also created chances on the offensive side for DBU, the most notable of these coming in the 36th minute when he burst down the left flank and beat two defenders to get inside the box and set up Mason Wallak for a look on goal.
 
In the closing minutes of the first half, freshman goalie Kyle Renton made the biggest save of his Patriot career to date when he fully laid out for a solid strike just outside the 18 to keep the game level going into the half.

For the majority of the second half, the story was the same as the first. DBU would have to go head on into the wind for the final 45 minutes but that did not stop them from looking to maintain possession of the ball and build up the field to get solid chances in the attacking third of the field. Unfortunately, none would fall for the Patriots on the day. In the 83rd minute of the match, reigning Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of The Week Giancarlo Saldana would find the back of the net for West Texas and earn them the 1-0 victory.

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
  - Although the Patriots fell, the defense for DBU looked solid on the day. Outside backs Christian Naizer and Sergio Garrido did an excellent job of allowing the pacey wingers of West Texas minimal chances. Center back Jonathan Leach had to exit the match in the 1st half with a head injury; however, in the action that Leach saw he once again stood out. Payton Franklin and Brock Bennison saw the majority of action in the heart of the defense and did a solid job of keeping the LSC Offensive Player of The Week in Saldana at bay for much of the day.
 
 - Freshman midfielder Carlos Lara has seen every minute of action on the season for the Patriots, one of only two players to do so. Lara, a left-footed midfielder from Mesquite, Texas, is good on the ball for the Patriots and is not afraid to get stuck into challenges. One of the primary set-piece takers for DBU, Lara is able to whip the ball into dangerous areas and set up opportunities for the DBU attack.
 
 - Ethan Carbajal entered the match off of the bench today but came into the game on the wing. Carbajal, another freshman on this roster, has primarily played outside back for Chip Dutchik's side during his time as a Patriot. The Lewisville native came into the program with his main position being on the wing. Dutchik has used Carbajal in the outside back role for his willingness to tackle, and his ability to get forward and contribute into the attack.
 
COACH CHIP DUTCHIK ON THE PATRIOTS PERFORMANCE
"The guys played well again today and were tactically sound. It was a good battle through the midfield, they were able to capitalize on their moment late in the game and we just weren't able to capitalize on ours. It was a tough battle, but we are looking forward to Tuesday."

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
2 – Two Patriots have played every single minute of the first two games of the season thus far – sophomore Payton Franklin and freshman Carlos Lara.

9 – Four freshman and five sophomores stepped on the field Patriots today, for a total of nine between the two seeing action. That is a really positive sign for this program going forward and shows the faith that Chip Dutchik has in the young players on his roster.

3 – DBU No. 3 Brock Bennison was called into action off of the bench today when Jonathan Leach went down. Bennison came into a hectic game with difficult weather conditions and was able to team up with center back partner Payton Franklin and compete with the forwards of West Texas.

UP NEXT
DBU will return home to Patriot Field to host Oklahoma Christian University in a match scheduled for Tuesday, March 16th. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m.