BROWNWOOD, Texas – Alex Sanchez headed a beautifully placed ball off a corner kick from Roger Bonilla into the back of the net to help give Howard Payne University a 1-1 draw vs. The University of Texas at Tyler on Saturday evening.

The Jackets (2-8-3) fended off a deep and talented UT-Tyler (8-5-1) team that had won 4 out of their last five contests.  

Howard Payne's lone goal came in the early minutes of the match, they then locked down on defense and took the Patriots out of their comfort zone to come away with 1-1 draw.  

It was Senior Alex Sanchez's first goal of the season and it came at the perfect time, just as the Jackets were celebrating Senior Day and their last home game of the season. Roger Bonilla also collected his second assist of the season on the play. 

Senior Brandon McGibeny also turned in a fine performance, deflecting a career high seven shots on goal over 90 minutes of game action. McGibeny was starting in place of Nichola Panameno who had to sit out due to receiving a red card in Howard Payne's last match.  

Sanchez's goal came in the 1st minute of the game and the Patriots wouldn't have an answer until the 27th minute when they had a shot on goal that was deflected by McGibeny.  

The two teams exchanged shots the rest of the first half. Josue Vasquez struck in the 12th minute, getting his foot on a ball that sailed high.  

The Patriots kept striking though, registering three more shots on goal until Danile Lemus answered back with a shot of his own that hit the post. But in the very last minute of the first half, UT-Tyler was able to sneak an unassisted goal into the back of the net to notch the score up at 1-1. 

The Patriots came out of the half intent on breaking the draw, striking first in the half when they were able to get a shot on goal in the 49th minute the McGibeny was able to deflect. In all, UT-Tyler would put four more shots on goal before the game was forced into extra time. 

The Howard Payne defense withheld the attacks and escaped with 1-1 draw to send their seniors off on the right foot. 

Next up for the Jackets is a road contest vs. Louisiana College in Pineville, Louisiana. Match time is set for 6:30 p.m. and live stats can be obtained through www.HPUSports.com. Be sure to follow @HPUMSoc on Twitter for in game updates.