Box Score Season Statistics CANYON, Texas – To close out the 2015 season, the West Texas A&M women's soccer team triumphed over Lone Star Conference foe Texas Woman's, 1-0, on Senior Day. Senior
Jessie Thomas led the Lady Buffs to victory as they spoiled the Pioneers' final chance at qualifying for the LSC Tournament. With the win, WT finishes the season at 7-11 (3-7, LSC) while TWU falls to 9-8-1 overall and 3-6-1 in league action.
The Lady Buffs led in shots on the day 12-7, while seven of those attempts were put on target to the Pioneers' four. Leading the way for the Lady Buffs was Thomas with five total (four on-goal) while junior
Emily Krenek finished with three total shots. Sophomore keeper
Nicole Kemper earned the win and finishes the season with a 4-6 record after making four saves in the shutout. Arianna Morrison took the loss after making six saves and allowing one score. She falls to 9-8-1 on the year.
The Lady Buffs grabbed a couple of early shots from close range off the feet of junior
Emily Krenek. She sent her first wide in the 2
nd minute before putting her second attempt on-goal, leading to a Morrison save.
Senior
Jessie Thomas then put the Lady Buffs on top in the 13
th minute with her fifth goal of the season. She took a pass in the center from about 30 yards out and weaved around two Pioneer defenders to get an open look with just Morrison to beat. The keeper would stop the first shot, deflecting the ball high and behind her towards the net. Thomas raced in to find the net off the bounce with an open net in front of her.
Thomas and redshirt freshman
Katelyn Taschler both would find shots on target in the ensuing minutes but were unable to beat Morrison. The Pioneers then found some rhythm and forced three shots of their own leading into the 30
th minute.
The Lady Buffs would have one more solid attempt before the half as Thomas sent a header on-goal, but Morrison leaped up for the difficult save to send the game into the break with WT still up 1-0.
At the break, the Lady Buffs held the advantage in total shots, 7-4, and were able to place five of those attempts on-goal compared to two by the Pioneers. Three shots would be generated by Thomas while Krenek tallied two for the half.
Thomas had another excellent opportunity as she broke free through defense in the 62
nd minute. She would get another open look but Morrison slid in for the tough save. WT nearly grabbed an insurance goal in the 78
th minute as well. Freshman
Rachel Herring sent a perfect cross to Krenek trailing right outside the left post and nearly scored on the one-timer before Morrison showed up to break up the connection.
The Lady Buff defense would finish strong to preserve the win to finish the season and would only allow one shot in the final 10 minutes to the opposition.
The Lady Buffs now improve to 12-3-2 all-time against TWU. WT won both meetings last season and split the season series this year.
Prior to the match both Thomas and defender
Rhea Belgrave were honored for Senior Day at The Pitch.
After Friday night's loss at home to Texas A&M-Commerce, the Lady Buffs were eliminated from Lone Star Conference Tournament playoff contention. This is the first season since 2010 that the Lady Buffs have not qualified for the LSC Tournament.
Both the Pioneers and Lady Buffs now finish on the outside looking in at the LSC Tournament, placing fifth and sixth, respectively. TAMUC was named LSC Champion today with its win over Eastern New Mexico and earns the No. 1 seed with the right to host the tournament. Rounding out the tournament field are No. 2 Angelo State, No. 3 ENMU, and No. 4 Midwestern State.
