CANYON, Texas – Emily Avila's free kick proved to be the difference as West Texas A&M finished non-conference play with a 1-0 victory over Southwestern Oklahoma State on Sunday afternoon at The Pitch in Canyon. The Lady Buffs improved to 4-1-0 on the season and are now 17-1-1 all-time against SWOSU. 
 
Asha James would have WT's first real chance in the 21^st minute when she slalomed through the SWOSU defense but her shot was saved at the near post. 
 
Reagan Matacale would also see her shot at the near post saved in the 32^nd minutes as the Lady Buffs outshot the Bulldogs 11-3 in the opening 45 minutes. 
 
The Lady Buffs best chance of the game came in the 60^th minute off a corner kick. Kyndahl Britton got her head on James' cross which was pushed into the air and off the crossbar by the keeper. The ball ricocheted off the bar and into the hands of SWOSU's Ashley Hughes to keep the game scoreless. 
 
Avila finally opened the scoring in the 65^th minute after the Lady Buffs were awarded a free kick just outside the top of the penalty area. The junior scored her third goal of the season, all coming on free kicks, with a right-footed strike into the right netting. 
 
Reagan Heelan picked up her second shutout of the season with four saves, three of those coming in the second half. 
 
The Lady Buffs open Lone Star Conference play on Wednesday, Sept. 22, on the road against UT Permian Basin. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.