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TYLER, TX -- The UT Tyler men’s soccer team won their fifth American Southwest Conference regular season championship with a 4-0 shutout of Louisiana College Thursday on Senior Night at the Citizens 1st Bank-Perkins Soccer Complex.  Fittingly, all four of the Patriots’ goals were scored by seniors.

The title, which is the Patriots’ second consecutive and third in the last four years, earns them the right to host the ASC Championship Tournament set for Nov. 4-6.  The winner of the tournament earns the league’s automatic qualifier to the NCAA Championships.

UT Tyler (14-2, 10-1 ASC), ranked third in the NCAA West Region and No. 12 in the NSCAA national poll, is the defending ASC champion.

The Patriots first goal came on the foot of Victor Almendariz in the 24th-minute. Luis Jaimes recorded the assist on the goal and UT Tyler held the 1-0 lead into halftime.

After the break, Almendariz scored again, this time in the 60th minute assisted by Alberto Munoz. The Patriots extended their lead to 3-0 on a free kick by Jake Urbaniak at 69:55.

Senior Jonatan Benitez scored his first goal of the season in the 83rd minute to give the Patriots their final margin of 4-0. He was assisted by Elijah Shipman.

UT Tyler expected to be playing for the title on Saturday in a showdown with Mississippi College, but the Choctaws tied with Concordia on Thursday which dropped them out of contention in the tight ASC standings.

The Patriots finished the night with a 26-4 shot advantage. UT Tyler keeper Sergio Gardea made four saves.

The tournament bracket will be set following the completion of the regular season on Saturday.

-Courtesy University of Texas at Tyler Sports Information Department