West Texas A&M University Athletics

CANYON, Texas. – Courtney Dippel made four saves in the penalty shootout as the Lady Buffs of West Texas A&M advanced to its first NCAA Division II Women's Soccer South Central Regional Championship since 2009 after defeating UC-Colorado Springs 4-3 on penalty kicks on Sunday afternoon at The Pitch. The game ended in a 1-1 draw with both goals being scored in the second half.

THE BASICS
The Matchup: West Texas A&M 1, UC-Colorado Springs 1 (WT, 4-3 PK's)
Records: West Texas A&M (15-3-2), UC-Colorado Springs (16-3-3)
Venue: The Pitch
Location: Canyon, Texas

Shanelle Arjoon had WT's first scoring chance of the game in the 7^th minute when she found space in the penalty area but her header on Calista Corder's cross went wide right. The Lady Buffs would then have to defend for most of the half as UCCS used the 16 mph wind to their advantage to recorded 11 shots in the first 45 minutes.

The game remained scoreless until Khadisha Debesette scored her first goal of the season in the 59^th minute. The redshirt junior was wide open on the back post to poke Emily Avila's free kick from 35 yardsinto the back of the goal. Khadidra Debesette had a chance to double the advantage 11 minutes later but her shot from the top of the box was saved by UCCS Kaylyn Smith.

UCCS would level it at 1-all in the 76^th minute when Kelsey Lanham headed Tarah Patterson's free kick over the outstretched hands of Dippel into the far post. Dippel made multiple saves over the final 14 mintutes but none bigger than when she pushed Anna Gregg's shot from distance wide to keep the game tied at 1-1.

WT had the best chance of the two teams to win it in overtime when Khaline Jacob was taken down by Smith in the penalty area on a clear scoring opportunity. Marlene van Mourik stepped up to take the penalty kick but send the ball barely over the crossbar.

The teams were tied at 3-3 after five rounds of penalty kicks before both goalkeepers saved their sixth attempts blocked. Dra Debesette made WT's seventh attempt followed by a save from Dippel on Aleesa Muir's attempt to send them to the regional final.

UP NEXT
The Lady Buffs will await the winner of Dallas Baptist/Colorado School of Mines in a game that was postponed to Monday, November 12, due to snow in the Denver area.