SHAWNEE, Okla. – The No. 14-ranked West Texas A&M University women's soccer team used a strong opening half to gain a lead it wouldn't let go of to defeat the Oklahoma Baptist University Bison. Three different Lady Buffs scored in victory to improve to 4-0-0 overall while Oklahoma Baptist fell to 1-4-0.
 
Just three minutes into the game, Maria-Frances Serrant found Maliyah Mendoza on the edge of the 18-yard box. Mendoza stepped into her shot and placed the one-timer past the hands of Bison goalkeeper Mia Pendleton. A few minutes later, Serrant added another goal to her score sheet as she curved a ball from outside the box past Pendleton. Just as quickly as WT gained a 2-0 advantage, Asha James pushed the Lady Buffs' lead to three. James beat three defenders on her way into the box, finishing off her attack with a sliding shot into the back of the net. After WT's first three shots in the game, the Bison faced a 3-0 deficit.
 
In the second half, James picked up right where she left off. After beating the Oklahoma Baptist defenders at the top of the box, the junior calmly placed the ball out of reach of Pendleton. In the 54^th minute, James found a wide open Serrant inside the box for her second goal of the night. The Lady Buffs remained in control for the remainder of the game to take the non-conference bout, 5-0.
 
The Bison placed seven of their 12 shots on goal, but the Lady Buff defense held Oklahoma Baptist off the scoreboard. Reagan Heelan posted a season-high seven saves on 12 shots faced in the win.
 
WT stays in the Sooner State to take on Southwestern Oklahoma State on Thursday at 4 p.m.