WICHITA FALLS, Texas – The #14 Buffaloes of West Texas A&M went into Wichita Falls, Texas for the second time this year and came away with a victory as they outlasted the #6 Mustangs of MSU Texas in a penalty thriller (5-4) in the 2018 Heartland Conference Championship at Stang Park as WT claimed their first league title.
 
THE BASICS
The Matchup: #14 West Texas A&M 0, #6 MSU Texas 0
Records: West Texas A&M (15-2-3), MSU Texas (16-1-2)
Venue: Stang Park
Location: Wichita Falls, Texas
Note: Buffs win 5-4 on penalty kicks
2018 Heartland Conference Championship
 
The first half saw both teams have their chances as four combined shots came on goal but the top two goalkeepers in the Heartland Conference would keep the game scoreless heading into halftime. The majority of the first half saw action in WT's offensive side of the pitch but the Buffs couldn't finish around the net.
 
The Mustangs had a chance for a lead in the 53^rd minute as a corner kick almost turned into a header to the upper left corner but Alexander Vencel made another great save to keep it scoreless. MSU had another big chance in the 71^st minute but Vencel dove and denied the shot for his third save of the afternoon to keep the match scoreless.
 
Lucca Lima looked to give the Buffs the lead in the 79^th minute as the First Team All-Heartland Conference selection fired a shot from just inside the top of the box but Heartland Goalkeeper of the Year Taylor Lampe made his fourth save to keep it scoreless. MSU had the final chance of regulation with a corner kick headed into the final minute of play but the tough WT defense held to send the teams into overtime.
 
MSU started off the second overtime with a shot at Vencel but the sophomore registered another save, the teams traded possessions before another MSU scoring opportunity in front of the net but great defense by the Buffs forced a goal kick. A foul on the Mustangs gave the Buffs a free kick from 30 yards out with just over a minute remaining but Ivan Ulloa's kick was high to send the teams into penalties.
 
WT showed their depth in the penalty period as Vencel was strong all afternoon long in goal while Reece Schattle gave the Buffs their first Heartland Conference Tournament Title in program history with a score past MSU's Luuk Teurlinx in the sixth round of penalties. Vencel earned Most Valuable Player honors as the sophomore registered four saves on 11 shots faced for his second shutout of the tournament. Vencel was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Julio Vargas, Simon Sebbah and Michael Garcia.
 
Penalty Results: (WT, 5-4)
MSU – Juan Ramirez, Made
WT – Lucca Lima, Missed
MSU – Dylan Burke, Missed
WT – Callum Challinor, Made
MSU – Ross Fitzpatrick, Made
WT – Ivan Ulloa, Made
MSU – Rory O'Keeffe, Made
WT – Stefan Andjelic, Made
MSU – Hikaruhtito Maike, Made
WT – Julio Vargas, Made
MSU – Koby Sapon-Amoah, Missed
WT – Reece Schattle, Made
 
UP NEXT
The Buffs have clinched the Heartland Conference automatic bid into the 2018 NCAA Men's Soccer Division II Postseason as they await the announcement of the 24-team field via an online selection show starting at 5 p.m. CT at NCAA.com on Monday, November 5th. Stay tuned to GoBuffsGo.com for the complete bracket and tournament schedule.