Box Score

Season Statistics

UTPB 9-13-14 (Live Stats / Live Video / Tickets)

Lady Buff Game Notes
 
LAS VEGAS, N.M. – The West Texas A&M women's soccer team dropped its record to 0-3 on Thursday night with a 2-0 road loss to regional opponent New Mexico Highlands. The Cowgirls grabbed a late second half goal in the 71^st minute to find the winning score and improve to 2-1 on the season.
 
The first half was a very quiet one offensively for both teams in tonight's matchup under the lights in Las Vegas. The Cowgirls attempted to pressure freshman goalkeeper McKynzie Zick early on in the first three minutes of play but were unable to generate a shot while receiving a couple of offside whistles.
 
Over the next 10 minutes of the first half, the only thing to show up on the scoresheet were fouls, with seven of them split between the two teams in the midfield area, stopping any advancement of play for either side.
 
Finally, in the 13^th and 16^th minutes, NMHU received a few chances on their attacking end as they received two corner kick opportunities, taken by Crystal Shuder. The Cowgirls still were unable to put up a shot on the Lady Buff defense.
 
At the 16:16 mark, senior defender Rhea Belgrave sent in the first shot for the Lady Buffs but the ball was stopped by NMHU keeper Sarah Beecher in the center of the box.
 
Play remained centered through much of the remainder of the half. Sophomore Katelyn Taschler was able to set up a great chance for WT in the 35^th minute as she sent a ball towards the right post from the far left wing. Freshman Rachel Herring nearly timed the pass perfectly but the ball took a hard bounce outside the goal line. The Cowgirls responded with another shot in the 42^nd minute, a ball just right of Zick's reach and out of play.
 
The Cowgirls held the slight edge in shots at halftime, 2-1; however, both teams only had one shot-on-goal. Zick and Beecher had one stop apiece.
 
Within the first minute of the second half, the Lady Buffs received an early corner kick opportunity, taken by junior Taylor Laubhan. The midfielder played a good ball into the box but WT was whistled offsides. Laubhan would take two more corners over the ensuing six minutes of the second frame. The second was sent high towards the top center of the box and headed backwards by senior Rhea Belgrave. Sophomore Kaitlin Steele gathered the loose ball and drilled a shot right into the keeper's right shoulder. She was able to quickly recover for the save.
 
Steele was able to place another attempt on target in the 59^th minute in transition but sent the shot again straight into the hands of Beecher. One minute later, the Lady Buffs continued with the pressure as they received a free kick approximately 15 yards outside the box. Sophomore Karyn Forbes took the chance and sent a strike over the defensive line, nearly curving it just under the crossbar; however, Beecher was able to leap up for the save.
 
Anyssa Dagnino then gave the home team the lead in the 71^st minute as she beat Zick inside 15 yards off an assist by Rainey Pelzel.
 
Then in the 82^nd minute, the Cowgirls grabbed an insurance goal off a free kick by Schuder to make the final score 2-0.
 
The Cowgirls edged out WT in shots, 9-5, while the Lady Buffs held the advantage in shots-on-goal, 5-4. Zick took the loss with two saves. Beecher grabbed the win as she finished the night with five saves.
 
WT will return to action on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. for its 2014 home opener at The Pitch in Canyon, Texas. The Lady Buffs will host UT-Permian Basin. Live stats and a free video web stream will be provided by the WT Athletic Media Relations Office while links can be found at the top of the page.
 
UT-PERMIAN BASIN AT A GLANCE: The Falcons have had a rough start to their 2014 fall season. They currently sit at a 0-3 record after being outscored 10-2 in their first two games. UTPB opened up the season on Sept. 5 with a 4-0 loss at the hands of NMHU. It was then shutout on Sunday by Adams State, 3-0. Last night, the Falcons were defeated at home as well, losing 3-2 against the University of the Southwest.
 
UTPB finished off last season with a 2-16 overall record and went 1-8 in Heartland Conference action. The Lady Buffs are undefeated against the Falcons in the all-time series, 10-0. WT won the last meeting, 2-0, on Sept. 24, 2013 in Odessa.