CANYON, Texas -Â Giancarlo Saldana and Payne McKiver scored in the second half as No. 6 West Texas A&M defeated UT Tyler 2-0 in the Lone Star Conference Semifinals at The Pitch in Canyon. WT improved to 7-2-0 after defeating the Patriots for the second time this season.
The teams combined for 10 shots in the opening 45 minutes of action but nothing that troubled either goalkeeper.Â
Saldana opened the scoring with his ninth goal of the season after beating UT Tyler's Mathias Eriksen at the near post. Beau Johnson was credited with the assist after putting a through ball right at the path of Saldana.Â
They would double the lead in the 81st minute on McKiver's second of the season. Denis Herrera found McKiver just inside the penalty area with the senior doing the rest as he put the Patriot defender on skates before finding the back of the net.
Saldana and Herrera combined for six of the Buff's' 12 shots with Alexander Vencel making three saves in another shutout.Â
The Buffs will face Midwestern State in the LSC Championship on Monday, April 12, at The Pitch. Kickoff scheduled for 5 p.m.Â