CANYON, Texas – West Texas A&M opened Lone Star Conference play on Friday night with a 2-1 victory over Eastern New Mexico in front of 415 fans at The Pitch. The Lady Buffs improve to 2-3-0 and 1-0-0 in LSC play with their first win at home this season.
Hannah Kelley-Lusk opened the scoring for the Lady Buffs in the 10th minute with her second goal of the season following a nice pass from Jessica Diaz. The junior latched onto the through ball from Diaz before chipping the ball over the head of ENMU's Whitney Dockweiler to make it 1-0.
Khaline Jacob came close to doubling the advantage in the 27th minute but her shot was saved point black from Dockweiler. Kelley-Lusk set up the chance with a pass back to the middle of the penalty box after beating her defender down the left side but Jacob's shot went off the head of the Greyhound keeper.
Taylor Thompson had a chance of her own four minutes after making her collegiate debut. The redshirt freshman timed her run perfect to get behind the Greyhound defense but saw her effort at near post parried away for a corner.
The Lady Buffs spent the early part of the second half in their own half defending before Jacob's had another decent chance in the penalty area. The senior's shot was once again saved from Dockweiler in the 76th minute with Samantha Silvestre's rebound shot also getting saved. Daniela Estrada came up with a huge save on Morgan Desiree's shot from distance in the 78th minute to keep WT ahead.
Jacob's first goal of the season in the 83rd would make it 2-0 in favor of the home team. Jacob would convert on her third attempt of the game on a pass from Kelley-Lusk to the middle of the field before beating Dockweiler to the far post. ENMU would salvage a goal in the 90th minute on a header from Hayden Zuniga.
The Lady Buffs return to action on Thursday, Oct. 3, against Texas A&M-Commerce at The Pitch. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
