DALLAS, Texas (March 30, 2021) – Lubbock Christian University had the lead on two separate occasions Tuesday against Dallas Baptist, but the Patriots were able to come back late and beat the Chaps 3-2 at Patriot Soccer Field.
 
LCU is now .500 on the year with a 4-4 record and dropped to 3-4 in Lone Star Conference action. DBU's win was just their second of the season both overall and in conference play.
 
The two teams traded shots early in the game before Hector Rodriguez-Cabo recorded the first shot on goal in the 17^th minute, but it was saved by DBU goalkeeper Kyle Renton.
 
Less than 10 minutes later, the Chaparrals broke through with a goal from Tariq Bakkali. It was the London native's first goal of the season. He last scored on Nov. 7, 2019 against West Texas A&M. Ezequiel Fidabel and Niklas Neumann had assists on the goal, marking the first this season for each player.
 
The Chaps held onto that 1-0 lead for the next 20 minutes, keeping the Patriots without a shot on goal. DBU finally got their first shot on goal at the 41:41 mark, and it was a good one, getting past LCU keeper Ben Pelz to even the score at 1-1. The two teams went into the break tied there.
 
Lubbock Christian was able to re-take the lead just two and a half minutes into the second half thanks to a goal from Pablo Galietero Diez. It was his second goal of the season. Ezequiel Fidabel had one of the assists on the goal, making him the first LCU player with multiple helpers in one game. Fernando Flores had the other assist for his ninth point on the season.
 
DBU responded quickly this time, scoring their second goal just five minutes later.
 
The game stayed deadlocked at 2-2 for thirty minutes, despite LCU's best efforts. Jasper Reese and Bakkali both took shots in the 69^th minute that were off target. Flores had a shot on goal in the 74^th minute, as did Rodriguez-Cabo, but Renton made saves on both to preserve the tie.
 
Dallas Baptist finally took their first lead of the game in the 81^st minute with a goal from Emmanuel Loni. The Patriots nearly added a fourth goal in the 84^th minute after a yellow card was called on Ivan Muanze-Bengono to give DBU a penalty kick. Ben Pelz made the save though, keeping the Chaps down just a goal.
 
LCU had one final scoring chance with a shot from Fidabel in the 87^th minute, but it missed high.
 
The Chaparrals now have a week off before they wrap up the regular season against UT Permian Basin at 7 p.m. on April 6 at the LCU Soccer & Track Complex.