THE RUNDOWN
A goal from
Riley Olsen in the seventh minute propelled No. 1 DBU to a 1-0 victory over UT Tyler in the Lone Star Conference Semifinals Thursday night at Patriot Soccer Field. With the win, the Patriots secured their place in the LSC Championship match for the eighth consecutive season.
DBU set the tone early, unleashing four shots in the opening three minutes before breaking through on a corner kick for the game's decisive goal. At the 7:40 mark,
Skylar Belanger sent a delivery into the box that found
Leah Hurley, whose header was turned away by UT Tyler goalkeeper Robi Curry. Olsen was first to the rebound, directing a header into the back of the net to put the Patriots in front, 1-0.
The Patriot defense kept UT Tyler's attack in check throughout the first half, limiting the Patriots to just three shots over the opening 45 minutes while carrying the one-goal advantage into halftime.
UT Tyler increased the pressure after the break, outshooting DBU 4-1 in the second half in search of an equalizer. The Patriots' defensive resolve was tested in the 84th minute when Ava Harris unleashed a blistering shot that narrowly missed the right post. DBU weathered the late push, protecting its lead over the final six minutes to secure the shutout victory and punch its ticket to Sunday's LSC Championship.
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THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- DBU has advanced to the LSC Championship in every season since joining the conference in 2019, extending its streak to eight consecutive appearances.
- The Patriots notched their 13th shutout of the season.
- DBU earned a pair of 1-0 victories over UT Tyler this season, sweeping the regular-season and postseason meetings by identical scores.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
9 -
Riley Olsen's goal was her ninth of the year.
6 -
Leah Hurley recorded her sixth assist of the season on Olsen's game-winning goal.
90 -
Josie Juvera,
Kenzi Tufts, and
Tyler Weaver each played all 90 minutes.
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UP NEXT
DBU advances to Sunday's Lone Star Conference Championship, where the Patriots will face either UT Dallas or West Texas A&M. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
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