CANYON, Texas – The Lady Buffs of West Texas A&M scored all three of their goals in the second half as they defeated Midwestern State 3-1 on Thursday night at The Pitch. Maliyah Mendoza Mendoza scored the game-winner in the 79th minute as the Lady Buffs improve to 8-6-0 overall and 7-3-0 in Lone Star Conference play.
The Lady Buffs recorded the first five shots of the game but it was the Mustangs who opened the scoring with Emma Baley putting Imani Morlock's cross into the back of the net in the 19th minute. WT's best chance of the first half came in the final minute when Mendoza got the end of a loose ball in the box but a Mustang defender cleared it off the line.
WT came out firing on all cylinders in the second half with three shots in the opening five minutes before Marlene van Mourik tied it at 1-all with her third goal in as many games. Hannah Kelley-Lusk was credited with the assist after founding a wide-open van Mourik after MSU failed to clear one of WT's season-high 16 corner kicks. The senior took one touch before sending the ball across the face of goal and in to the back of the net at the far post.
WT would make it 2-1 in the 79th minute after taking advantage of a Mustang mistake at the back. Khaline Jacob intercepted the pass and found a streaking Mendoza just inside the penalty area for her third goal of the season. They would double their advantage a minute later on a set piece goal headed home by Samantha Silvestre. Shanelle Arjoon flicked van Mourik's swinger to the near post where Silvestre headed home her first goal of the season.
Kelley-Lusk finished the game with nine shots, four on-target as the Lady Buffs outshot the Mustangs, 25-7. Daniela Estrada made two saves as she improved to 7-4-0 on the season.
WT will host Oklahoma Christian on Saturday, Nov. 2, in the final home game of the regular season where the five seniors will be honored before the game. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m.
