CANYON, Texas – Maliyah Mendoza dished out two assists as West Texas A&M won their fourth straight over Texas A&M-Commerce on Thursday night at The Pitch. The Lady Buffs defeated the Lions 2-1 on a cold, wet night in Canyon giving them their longest win streak in the series since 1996-97.
The Lady Buffs were inches away from going up a goal in the 27th minute when Khaline Jacob found space 10 yards from goal. The senior held the ball well after getting the ball in the penalty area but TAMUC's Jen Peters denied her with a fingertip save before the ball was cleared out of danger.
WT didn't have wait much longer to get on the board as Taylor Thompson scored the opener in the 40th minute, just three minutes after coming on as a substitute. Mendoza controlled the ball following a Lady Buff corner slotting the ball to a wide-open Thompson on the right of the pitch, who put the ball across goal into the back of the net.
Both teams had their chances in the opening minutes of the second half with the Lions coming the closest on a free kick from 20 yards out from Cora Welch. TAMUC would equalize against the run of play on a goal from Naomi Sink and would nearly take the lead in the 85th minute but Daniela Estrada blocked Leslie Campuzano's effort on a breakaway.
WT retook the lead for good in the 88th minute on Hannah Kelley-Lusk's third goal of the season. Mendoza was the provider again as the sophomore slipped the past the Lion defense after nice buildup play before Kelley-Lusk beat Peters with a left-footed shot for her seventh career game-winner.
Kelley-Lusk finished the game with a game-high six shots with Mendoza and Jacob with two each. Estrada finished the game with six saves giving her 23 on the season.
The Lady Buffs host UT Tyler on Saturday, Oct. 5, at Noon as part of their annual ALS Awareness game. The 2009 team will also be honored before the game.
