CANYON, Texas – The West Texas A&M University women's soccer opened the 2022 season with a 3-0 defeat of No. 14 Emporia State at The Pitch on Friday night. With the win, the Lady Buffs secured back-to-back season opening wins for the first time since 2011.

WT came off the opening kickoff quickly as the Lady Buffs sent three shots toward the goal in the opening minutes of the game. As Reagan Matacale looked to set up the Lady Buffs' next opportunity, she got taken down by a Hornets' defender inside the box. On the ensuing penalty kick, Asha James stepped up and buried the ball into the back of the net, giving WT an early 1-0 advantage.
 
Throughout the remainder of the first half, the Lady Buffs continued to place shots on target. Following a goal kick, Mandy Stricker sent a ball down the field where Maria-Frances Serrant gathered and placed the ball out of reach of Emporia State goalkeeper Tori Bailey. WT placed one final shot on target in the closing minutes of the first half but went to the break with a two-goal advantage.
 
In the second half, the Lady Buffs picked up right where they left off, sending a flurry of shots toward new Hornets goalkeeper Mackenzi Goen. While Goen held WT off the scoreboard for the time being, Reagan Heelan stopped any shot that came her way as well. After a break in the scoring, James put the game out of reach with less than nine minutes remaining as she beat her defender and placed a ball in the corner of the net. Emporia State looked to get on the board in the closing seconds, but a WT defender blocked the shot and ended the game.
 
The Lady Buffs registered a total of 26 shots with 14 coming in the first half, forcing 10 Hornets saves along the way.
 
WT returns to play on Sunday as the Lady Buffs take on Adams State in Alamosa, Colorado. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. Central Time.