- Match Notes
THE MATCH
The No. 9 West Texas A&M Buffaloes open the 2019 season with a non-conference match against Colorado State-Pueblo on Thursday, Sept. 5, in Pueblo, Colo. Game time is set for 8 p.m. CT.
CSU-PUEBLO
CSU-Pueblo kicks off opening weekend with matches against West Texas A&M and MSU Texas. Last season the ThunderWolves ended the season with a 2-10-2 record in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (5-11-2 overall). CSUP was picked to finish ninth in the RMAC Preseason Men's Coaches Poll on August 27.
The ThunderWolves are led by redshirt-senior defender Michael Chism and junior midfielder Marvin Zajonz after being selected as the RMAC Preseason Players to Watch for Colorado State-Pueblo.
Roy Stanley enters his 26th season as the head coach of the men's soccer program at CSU-Pueblo, making three playoff appearances while being named RMAC Coach of the Year twice.
THE SERIES
Thursday's match will mark the 18th all-time meeting between West Texas A&M and Colorado State-Pueblo. The Buffs have dominated the series with a 15-1-1 series record with WT taking the last five meetings.
THE LAST MEETING
Last season the Buffs defeated the ThunderWolves, 3-1, in the 2018 home opener on September 3. CSUP got on the board first in the 25th minute before WT responded to tie it up 1-1 right before the hald (43'). The Buffs added another two goals in the second half to seal the victory.
THE LEGEND HIMSELF
Butch Lauffer enters his 29th season as the head men's soccer coach at West Texas A&M University. Lauffer is the longest tenured coach in WTAMU history in an acclaimed career starting in 1991. With the Buffs, he has recorded a Lauffer has recorded a 333-137-37 (.667) record with the Buffs and a 523-214-54 (.684) overall record at WT.
LONE STAR CONFERENCE PRESEASON HONORS
The Buffs were selected to finish second in the Lone Star Preseason Poll with 236 points overall and two first-place votes. Senior midfielder Lucca Lima was picked as the Offensive Player of the Year while junior goalkeeper was named Goalkeeper of the Year.
STANDING NATIONALLY
After last year's historic 17-3-3 season the Buffs stand ninth in the United Soccer Coaches national standings, which is the highest national ranking in the Lone Star Conference and South Central Region.
RETURN OF THE BUFF
WT begins a new chapter as they returned to the Lone Star Conference in the offseason after completing 11-2-1 conference run, taking their first Heartland Conference title since joining the conference in the 2016 season. West Texas tallied a 31-8-3 conference record in just the three season they were in the Heartland.
DOUBLE TROUBLE
West Texas A&M added two brotherly duos this offseason, welcoming Liam Doyle's older brother, Callum, and Marcos and Romario Lopez. Callum Doyle transferred to WT after playing one season at Union College in Barbouville, Ky., and saw action in 17 games with 16 starts. The senior transfer scored two goals and had 12 shots with five on frame.
Freshmen Marcos and Romario Lopez look to make an impact in their first year at WT. Together the Texas natives have earned five All-District honors at Akins High School. Marcos Lopez was a three-time District Midfielder of the Year.
ONE FOR THE BOOKS
The 2018 season was historic for the men's soccer program as the Buffs set a new record for most wins in a single season with 17, passing the previous (16) set in 1993, 1994 and 2001. WT set the new record after defeating No. 25 Colorado Mesa, 1-0, in the South Central Regional Championship to take their third Regional title.
LIVE COVERAGE
Live stats and streaming will be available for Thursday's game. For more information, visit the Men's Soccer Schedule at GoBuffsGo.com.
UP NEXT
The Buffs welcome Western Washington for the 2019 home opener to continue non-conference play on Thursday, Sept. 13, at The Pitch, followed by a match against Seattle Pacific on Sept. 16.
