Box Score
 
Season Statistics
 
COMMERCE, Texas – Despite facing a season-high 30 shots, including 21 in the second half, on Sunday afternoon in Commerce, Texas, the West Texas A&M women's soccer team was able to defeat Texas A&M-Commerce 1-0 off a late penalty kick score in the 78^th minute by senior Rhea Belgrave. The Lady Buffs now improve to 4-5 overall and 1-1 in Lone Star Conference play, while all four of their wins so far this season have been shutouts. With the loss, the Lions fall to 6-3 (1-1, LSC).
 
Sophomore transfer Nicole Kemper, making her first appearance in goal this season, received the starting nod for WT and earned the victory while being forced to stop nine shots in the 90 minutes.
 
The Lions held the strong favor in time of possession as well as shots over WT, 30-11, with an endless attack. TAMUC also led in shots-on-goal, 9-5. Courtnie Northern took the loss between the pipes, dropping her record to 6-3. She tallied four saves on the afternoon and allowed one goal.
 
"It feels great to come here and get a big conference win in a tough place to play," said head coach Chad Webb. "I felt like we gave one away on Friday so now we just have to look at this season as having a 1-1 record because those two games are all that really matter at this point. I did not like how we gave them so many opportunities today but I was impressed with how Nicole performed facing so many shots in her first game this season."
 
Considering how things ended up later in the match, play began surprisingly slow on the pitch this afternoon in Commerce with nothing giving for either side through the first 10 minutes of the first frame. The Lions were finally able to put together a few chances to get things rolling with attempts off the mark from the top of the box by Callie Annett and Madison Cordts in the 12^th and 18^th minutes, respectively.
 
Kemper was first tested in the 24^th minute with a shot from inside the 18-yard box by Jade Bell. Kemper stepped up for her first career save as a Lady Buff.
 
Junior Haley Girard was then able to gather the first attempt for WT in the 25^th minute, followed by an attempt by freshman Sydney Hickerson, also making her first appearance in the starting lineup, in the 30^th minute. Both shots would be on target but stopped by Northern.
 
The Lions went on the attack in the next five minutes with four great looks from close range, including two by Bell, forcing Kemper to maneuver for a couple more tough saves. The Lady Buffs were then able to get a few more attempts off before the buzzer would sound. Hickerson and sophomore Brady Prescott had shots blocked inside the box by defenders before Girard grabbed one last chance at the right wing but was denied again by Northern.
 
The home team held the 9-5 advantage in shots at the break while both were knotted at three apiece in shots-on-goal. Girard and Hickerson led the way for WT with two each at halftime.
 
Numerous chances were presented for the taking for both sides in the second half, especially for the Lions; however, neither team would find a goal during the course of free play. TAMUC totaled 21 shots in the final 45 minutes.
 
Cadie Annett forced a couple right from the start making Kemper grab two quick saves. The Lady Buffs responded with three-straight shots from junior Emily Krenek resulting wide, blocked, and high, respectively in the 57^th minute.
 
Six-consecutive shots ensued in favor of TAMUC between three corner kick opportunities, while only two were placed on target against Kemper. Krenk would also grab another opportunity in the 68^th minute, this time on-goal, but her attempt was scooped up by Northern.
 
Five more unsuccessful attempts would follow for the Lions before the Lady Buffs caught a much needed break in the 78^th minute after a foul inside the box. Belgrave took the penalty kick for WT and converted for her third goal, and second game-winner, of the season to give the Lady Buffs a crucial road LSC victory.
 
Krenek led the way for WT with four shots today while Girard and Hickerson tallied two each.
 
WT now improves to 19-10-2 all-time against the Lions and has now won two-straight in the series and is undefeated in the previous four meetings. Webb also picked up his 40th career win today. He is now 40-37-11 (.517) so far through his fifth season at the helm of the Lady Buff soccer program.
 
The Lady Buffs will return to action next Friday, Oct. 3, as they begin a four-game home stretch with a 7 p.m. matchup against LSC-rival Eastern New Mexico. WT is 10-4-1 all-time against the Zias. Live stats and a free video webstream will be provided for the game courtesy of West Texas A&M Athletic Media Relations. Links can be found on www.GoBuffsGo.com via the women's soccer schedule page.