DELAND, FLORIDA - Eduardo De Oliveira needed just 50 minutes and 40 seconds to give UTRGV the lead, slotting home a precise cross from Mouhamed Pouye before a crowd of 842 fans at Spec Martin Stadium.
The early advantage set the tone for a tense, back-and-forth contest that saw both teams create opportunities, but it was Andres Mata who salvaged a point for Stetson, equalizing 2 minutes and 37 seconds after De Oliveira's goal.
The first half was a closely contested affair, with Stetson controlling possession and dictating the tempo. However, it was UTRGV who created the most clear-cut chance, with De Oliveira's goal coming from a well-weighted cross by Pouye that dissected the Stetson defense. The Hatters struggled to respond, managing just two shot attempts in the first half, neither of which tested UTRGV goalkeeper Ignacio Gonzalez.
After the break, Stetson pushed hard for an equalizer, orchestrating several promising attacks. Their efforts were rewarded when Andres Mata connected with a cross, slotting the ball past Gonzalez with composure. The equalizer sparked a frenetic period of play, with both teams creating half-chances but neither able to find a winner.
The statistical ledger reveals a tale of two teams with contrasting styles. UTRGV outshot Stetson 7-5 on target, but the Hatters dominated possession and corner kicks, earning 13 corners to UTRGV's 4. Stetson's goalkeeper, Xavier Valdez, made four crucial saves to deny UTRGV a victory, while Gonzalez made one save to preserve his team's point.
The draw extends Stetson's unbeaten streak to two games, improving their record to 4-8-3 overall and 1-3-2 in conference play. For UTRGV, the result marks their third draw in five games, leaving them with a 1-7-3 record heading into their next match against Oregon St. Stetson, meanwhile, will look to build on this result when they host North Florida next.
The match was marked by a series of intense moments, with both teams showing resilience in the face of adversity. UTRGV's De Oliveira showed predatory instincts with his goal, while Stetson's Mata demonstrated clinical finishing to equalize. The Hatters' midfield maestro, Diego Gomez, controlled the tempo with intelligent distribution, creating several opportunities for his teammates. UTRGV's Gonzalez, meanwhile, made a crucial save to preserve his team's lead, while Valdez made four saves to deny UTRGV a victory.
As both teams look to their next matches, they will be hoping to build on the positives from this closely contested draw. For Stetson, the task will be to maintain their defensive solidity while finding a way to score more consistently. UTRGV, meanwhile, will need to work on their finishing if they are to start picking up more wins.
Key Players:
Eduardo De Oliveira (UTRGV) – Slotted home the opening goal with precision, showcasing his clinical finishing ability.
Andres Mata (Stetson) – Equalized for the Hatters with a composed finish, demonstrating his ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Diego Gomez (Stetson) – Controlled the midfield with intelligent distribution, creating several opportunities for his teammates.
Ignacio Gonzalez (UTRGV) – Made a crucial save to preserve his team's lead, showing his shot-stopping ability.