Nov. 14, 2003

Box Score

DENVER, Colo. - The West Texas A&M University women's soccer team defeated Texas A&M-Commerce for the second time in less than a week, 2-1, to advance to the NCAA-II Midwest Regional Final for the first time in program history.

The Lady Buffs have seen postseason action the last two years but have been defeated in the first round. With the win, WTAMU, No. 3 in the NCAA-II Midwest Region, upset the No. 2 regional seed Lions. The Lady Buffs are ranked No. 15 in the NSCAA/adidas Top 25, while TAMUC was ranked No. 20.

The Lady Buffs started the game with a lot of intensity and struck blood early in the seventh minute when freshman forward Sarit Shenar got on the end of a cross from senior midfielder Ashleigh Scott and headed the ball past TAMUC freshman goalkeeper Amber Ramoz.

In very windy conditions, which favored TAMU-Commerce's style of play, WTAMU went toe-to-toe with the Lions until a defensive breakdown in the 27th minute. With miscommunication in the WTAMU backfield, senior forward Kristina Kastor was able to get behind the defense and get the ball past senior goalkeeper Jamie Griffis to tie the game at 1-1.

In second half action, it was all Lady Buffs as they dominated ball possession while defensively shutting the Lions down. WTAMU fired off 16 shots in the half, while holding TAMU-Commerce to only one shot. In fact, Lions' lone shot on goal turned out to be the goal. WTAMU junior goalie Jamie Griffis did not register a save, but played solid defense in keeping the Lions at bay.

Although the Lady Buffs had multiple second half scoring opportunities, it wasn't until the 73rd minute that they netted the go-ahead goal. Shenar scored her second goal when she headed in the rebound off freshman defender Cassie Burke's free kick.

This win increases the Lady Buffs' unbeaten streak to 12 games, including eight wins in a row. However, with Kastor's goal, their shutout streak ended today at nine games.

WTAMU takes on No.1 Metro State (both in the NSCAA Top 25 and Region) in the Midwest Regional Championship game on Sunday at Noon Mountain Time (1:00 p.m. Central Time). This is a rematch of last year's semifinal game when the Roadrunners defeated the Lady Buffs on the 11th kicker in sudden death shootouts. This will be the second time these teams have met this season, as the Lady Buffs dropped a 1-0 decision to the Roadrunners on Sept. 26 at Denver. However, the Lady Buffs have gone 10-1-2 since that game, and look to avenge the previous losses to Metro State in Sunday's final.

The match will be broadcast by the Buffalo Sports Network on KGNC 710 AM and via the Internet at www.gobuffsgo.com. Click here to access the Internet broadcast.