DBU (2-4-1) vs No. 16 ST. MARY'S (5-2-0)
April 2 | 5:30 p.m. | San Antonio, TX | Sigma Beta Chi Field

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COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF
The DBU Men's Soccer team is back on the road when they take on St. Mary's University in San Antonio on Friday, April 2nd at Sigma Beta Chi Field at 5:30 p.m.

The Patriots are coming off of one of the grittiest wins in program history after they beat Lubbock Christian University on Tuesday evening. DBU would go toe-to-toe with LCU for the majority of the game and gut out a hard earned 3-2 win on Patriot Field. Emmanuel Loni shined for DBU on the night as the junior had two assists, as well as the game winning goal for his side. In the 42nd minute of the match, Loni would cut up his defender and put a perfect ball on a platter for teammate Jide Adesanya to find the back of the net to take the two sides into the half tied at 1-1.
 
Coming out of the break, Loni and the Patriots would look to continue the attacking combinations and chances that they saw in the first half. In the 52nd minute, Loni would spark an excellent counterattack and connect with another one of his teammates in Mason Wallak to see the Fort Worth native find the back of the net to bring DBU even for the second time in the match at 2-2. Throughout the second half, the Patriots would put in a tough shift and battle with Lubbock Christian through the middle of the park and in the defensive half. The backline for Chip Dutchik's side stayed strong in their challenges and allowed slim room for the forwards of LCU to operate – something that would allow them to win the ball back and spark attacking chances for their side.
 
As time ran down, the Patriots earned a corner from the foot of Carlos Lara in the 82nd minute. Lara would whip the ball into the box and find the head of Loni. Loni's second goal of the year, and his third goal involvement on the day, would put the Patriots up 3-2, a score that DBU would hold for the remainder of the game.

PATRIOT STORYLINES
 - The Patriots stood out on Tuesday through their determination and willingness to play for each other. Limited on subs, DBU would battle through tired legs and multiple players on the field taking knocks of their own. This team stepped up and showed the heart that they have.

 - DBU has three players with multiple goals on the year. Emmanuel Loni, Jide Adesanya, and Mason Wallak each have scored two goals, with Loni and Adesanya also contributing through assists. Aside from Adesanya, who still saw minimum action due to injury in the 2019 season, this season is the first action Loni and Wallak are seeing for the Patriots. They have been great additions.

 - Payton Franklin has been a great leader for his team this season. The young sophomore was named one of Dutchik's captains this year and has stepped into that role in a very solid way. He commands his backline, and the entire team in front of him and plays a huge part in the organization of this team.

 - Something that has also stood out this year for this team is the passion that they have for each other. That passion is very noticeable from the sideline as well, players who aren't in the game can be seen encouraging their players and acting as 10 whole coaches on the sideline.
 
 - Kyler Beshirs saw a good amount of action for his team Tuesday night and looks to be a solid workhorse that Dutchik can rely on in coming off of the bench and creating opportunities up top.

SCOUTING ST. MARY'S
 - After picking up seven of the 20 first place votes in the preseason poll, the Rattlers are tabbed to finish 2nd in the LSC this spring. St. Mary's currently sits in 3rd.

 - St. Mary's is looking to replace Ollie Wright, the 2019 LSC Player of the Year, after he left the Rattlers early to sign a professional contract with USL side San Antonio FC. Wright finished the 2019 campaign with eight goals and 12 assists. Alonso Radriguez is looking to fill that role as he currently has three goals on the year, while Deni Cresto leads the Rattlers in assists with four.
 
- The Rattlers concluded the 2019 season with a record of 15-3-3 (8-1-1) and were crowned LSC regular season champions. They came runners up in the conference tournament to Midwestern State University before earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament. St. Mary's currently has a record of 5-2, with a 4-2 LSC record.

 - St. Mary's scored a total of 50 goals last season while only allowing 19. So far, the Rattlers have scored 10 goals through seven games, only allowing five.

SERIES HISTORY
The Patriots 3-10 all-time against the Rattlers.

UP NEXT
DBU will follow up the road trip with another away match, this time in Tyler. The Patriots will conclude the LSC regular season against UT-Tyler on Tuesday, April 6th. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.