CANYON, Texas – West Texas A&M senior goalkeeper Alexander Vencel registered six saves on Saturday afternoon with a 2-1 Lone Star Conference victory over Lubbock Christian. Vencel and the Buffs improve to 5-1 on the season while the Chaps move to 4-3-0 (3-3-0 LSC).
THE BASICS
The Match: West Texas A&M 2, Lubbock Christian 1
Records: West Texas A&M 5-1-0 (5-1-0 LSC), Lubbock Christian (4-3-0, 3-3-0 LSC)
Venue: The Pitch
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Buffs had a chance to get on the board in the opening five minutes of the match but the Chaps defense cleared the ball to avoid an early score. Fernando Flores looked to get the go-ahead lead for LCU but the junior's shot was saved by Alexander Vencel.
In the 35th minute, Callum Doyle found Keaton Hartman at the front of the net for the freshman to finish the pass for the 1-0 lead. The Chaps responded with back-to-back attempts in the 37th minute but were both denied by Vencel to hold the lead at the half.
The Chaps looked to even the score as they put pressure on the WT's defense early in the second half with three straight shots in the 51st and 52nd minute. The Buffs added to their lead in the 58th minute as Sean Ryan would take the corner kick before Bryan Martinez headed the ball in front of the net for Doyle to finish the shot to make it 2-0.
Flores put the Chaparrals on the board in the 62nd minute after completing a pass from Juan Jose Valdez Lopez ending the Buffs shutout. LCU almost tied the match in the 79th minute with a header by Jonathan Woods but Vencel made a diving save to clear it off the line to keep it 2-1.
The Buffs outshot the Chaps 15-9 with six landing on target as three players got three shots off against LCU. Vencel tallied a season-high six saves on nine shots faced to move improve to 5-1-0 overall.
UP NEXT
The Buffs will host their final home match of the regular season on Tuesday night as they welcome Oklahoma Christian. WT will honor Alexander Vencel and Kevin Gomez for Senior Day against the Eagles with kick off scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.
