CANYON, Texas – The West Texas A&M women's soccer team couldn't come back from a one-goal deficit against Lubbock Christian at The Pitch on Wednesday night. The Lady Buffs (1-5-4, 0-3-2 LSC) fell to the Lady Chaps (6-4-3, 3-3-1 LSC) by a score of 1-0.
 
Lubbock Christian found the game's first scoring chance three and a half minutes into the game. After Lexi De La Cruz sent a shot to the goal, Reagan Heelan collected the opportunity and cleared the threat. It didn't take long for the Lady Chaps to take the lead as LCU sent a ball over the WT back line. De La Cruz was able to win the foot race as she made her way into the box. As Heelan looked to boot the ball down the field, De La Cruz deflected the kick into the back of the net for the lead. As the first half went on, the Lady Chaps outshot the Lady Buffs 7-1 with a 4-0 advantage in shots on goal.
 
Less than five minutes into the second half, WT earned a free kick after a Lubbock Christian handball. On the ensuing kick, Bailey Malone curled the ball around the Lady Chaps' wall. Just before the ball crossed the line, LCU goalkeeper Kara Murray punched the ball away for a Lady Buff corner kick. WT looked to tie the game in the 75th minute when Viviana Gomez sent a cross to the front of the goal for Avery Putnam. The Lady Chaps defended the attack well and didn't allow Putnam to get a header off. The Lady Buffs formulated their best attack of the night with five minutes left in the game when Mollie Ferro charged up the field. Ferro sent a cross into the box for Gomez, but Lubbock Christian cleared the ball off Gomez's foot. On the clearance, Alexsis Villarreal attempted a long-range shot, but Murray stopped the ball easily. WT held a 5-2 advantage in shots for the second half but couldn't find an equalizer.
 
WT travels to Tyler, Texas for a 1 p.m. kickoff against UT Tyler on Saturday, Oct. 14.