DURANGO, Colo. – Hannah Kelley-Lusk scored a second half brace as West Texas A&M opened the 2021 season with a 4-1 victory over Fort Lewis on Friday afternoon at FLC Dirks Field in Durango, Colo. The Lady Buffs improved to 9-1-0 all-time against the Skyhawks.
 
The Lady Buffs had the first real chance of the game in the 18th minute when Kelley-Lusk found space behind the Skyhawk defense on a nice through ball but her shot was saved. Maliyah Mendoza was able to get a foot on the rebound but saw her shot by FLC's Katie Dunbabin to keep it scoreless.
 
WT continued to pressure the Skyhawk defense before taking the lead in the 23^rd minute on a free kick from Emily Avila. In a spot where most teams would consider whipping a cross into the penalty area, Avila blasted the ball to the far post and out of the grasp of the keeper for her fourth career goal. 
 
Reagan Heelan would make the first of five saves on the day in the 34^th minute on Katie Smith's shot. She would make another save on Smith five minutes later as the Lady Buffs led 1-0 after 45 minutes. 
 
Reagan Matacale would double the Lady Buffs advantage in the opening minute of the second half with a right-footed strike in the penalty area. She saw her first shot blocked before sending the rebound into the back of the net. The Skyahwks would get a goal back two minutes later when Smith found the back of the net with Maddie Allen getting credit for the assist. 
 
Kelley-Lusk would score the first of two goals in the 53^rd minute to restore the two-goal advantage. She timed her run perfectly before latching onto the ball over the open rounding the keeper to make it 3-1. The senior would get a second in the 82^nd minute to secure the victory on another ball over the top. She made no mistake in front of goal beating the keeper to the far post to give the Lady Buffs a win in the season opener for the second time in three years. 
 
The Lady Buffs return to action on Sunday, Sept. 5, with a neutral site showdown against Western Colorado in Durango, Colo.