Box Score

DENVER, Colo. – The West Texas A&M women's team allowed two first half goals in a season opening 2-0 loss to Metro State on Thursday night in Denver, Colo. With the loss, The Lady Buffs record sits at 0-1, while Metro State improves to 1-0. WT is now 14-4-2 in season openers in program history and 6-2-0 on the road.

The Lady Buffs struggled to find any rhythm in the first 15 minutes as the Roadrunners controlled position and nearly went ahead in the 3^rd minute on a shot from Bry Sanchez. The pressure eventually caught up to WT when Sanchez scored her first of the season on a long shot from the top of the box in the 14^th minute.

Reigna Banks nearly doubled the Roadrunners lead but she was denied by sophomore Courtney Dippel. The Lady Buffs nearly pulled the game level in the 19^th minute but Alejandra Dockery's shot was saved by keeper Erica Torres.

MSU doubled their lead in the 24^th minute when Sanchez found an open Banks six yards out for her first goal of 2016. The Lady Buffs nearly brought one back in the 28^th minute on a shot from Marlene van Mourik but the freshman from Hovborg, Denmakr was denied by the cross bar.

The Lady Buffs came out blazing in the second half as senior Kaitlin Steele nearly getting a goal back in the 48^th minute but was denied by Torres.

WT continued to press the Roadrunners as Wolf found some space just outside of the box in the 64^th minute but her shot was denied by Torres. The Lady Buffs continued to press as van Mourik shot from 25 yards out was pushed over the cross bar for a corner. Wolf collected a loose ball on the resulting corner kick and forced another tough save by Torres.

The Lady Buffs final chance on goal came in the 79^th minute but Sydney Hickerson's shot sailed high.  

Wolf led the WT with four shots, two on goal while van Mourik contributed three shots during her debut.

WT finished the match with 10 shots including six in the second half and three corner kicks.

Courtney Dippel made her 19^th career start  for the Lady Buffs and made two saves.

The Lady Buffs will finish their two-match road trip against Colorado Mines on Saturday, Sept. 3 in Golden. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. (CT).

Notes:

·  A total of 19 Lady Buffs saw action on the night.

· Five players made their debuts including starts from Gabby Wolf, Ronni Ajeto and Marlene van Mourik.

·  Metro State has now won the previous 11 match ups with WT.

· Metro State now leads the all-time series 12-2-0

· WT lost a season opener on the road for only the second time in school history.