CANYON, Texas. – West Texas A&M won its first NCAA Division II Women's Soccer South Central Regional Championship for the first time since 2009 defeating Dallas Baptist 5-4 on penalty kicks in front of 458 fans at The Pitch on Friday evening. Neither team could find the back of the next in regulation before WT prevailed in the seventh round of the shootout.

THE BASICS
The Matchup: West Texas A&M 0, Dallas Baptist 0 (WT, 5-4 PK's)
Records: West Texas A&M (15-3-3), Dallas Baptist (13-5-5)
Venue: The Pitch
Location: Canyon, Texas

Khaline Jacob had WT's first scoring chance of the contest in the 35^th minute after a nice run down the right side from Hannah Kelley-Lusk. The junior positioned herself at the near post before receiving the ball on her right foot but her shot to the near post was saved by DBU's Hope Koym.

Emily Avila had WT's best chance of the first half with time running out with a free kick from the top of the box. The freshman set a screamer to goal but was cleared off the line by a DBU defender to keep it 0-0 at halftime.

Calista Cordero had a chance to open the scoring in the 52^nd minute when Kelley-Lusk found some space down the left side. The sophomore was open in the box before controlling the pass but her shot went straight to Koym The Lady Buffs were forced to defend for the next 20 minutes before Noir Hawash sent a shot wide right in the 73^rd minute. Kelley-Lusk would follow that up with a shot of her that skimmed past the post and out of bounds.

WT's best chance of either overtime period came in the dying seconds of the match when Avila send a ball into the box but no Lady Buff was able to get a foot on it as they headed to penalty kicks for the second straight game.

In the shootout, the teams were tied at two makes a piece through the fourth round after Jessica Diaz beat Koym. Khadidra Debesette matched Lindsey Washburn's make on the fifth attempt while Noir Hawash was good on her attempt. Following Brittany Eccles miss, Marlene van Mourik confidently stepped up to the spot and sent Koym the wrong way to give WT their first regional title since 2009.

Dippel finished with six saves while registering her 25^th career shutout while Kelley-Lusk and Jessica Diaz had a team-high three shots.

UP NEXT
The Lady Buffs will face-off against #6 UC San Diego in the NCAA Quarterfinal on Sunday, Nov. 18, at 2 p.m. at The Pitch.