OKLAHOMA CITY – A late goal by the West Texas A&M men's soccer team secured three points in Lone Star Conference play on Wednesday afternoon. With the 1-0 win over Oklahoma Christian, the Buffs improved to 7-4-4 overall and 4-1-2 in conference play while the Eagles fell to 3-7-6 overall and 2-3-2 in league action.  
 
WT had an opportunity to take lead 10 minutes into the game as the Oklahoma Christian defense passed back to Eagles' goalkeeper Flynn Koerner. Koerner's pass slowed on the wet grass as an Oklahoma Christian defender slipped. Dylan Watson gained possession with only the keeper to beat as he ripped a shot. Watson's attempt went unsuccessful as the defender regained his footing and slid in to block the opportunity. The Eagles created a chance of their own in the 17^th minute when the Buffs' defense couldn't fully clear the ball. As the clearance went to Joep Claassen, Claassen fired a shot from outside the penalty box but into the arms of Asaf Kristal. As the game approached halftime, Bryan Martinez stormed in to steal possession from Oklahoma Christian. As Martinez neared the goal, he sent his shot wide of the frame. On the ensuing goal kick, Gabriel Nevarez made a steal of his own as the sophomore slid in to take possession. Like Martinez, Nevarez sent a shot toward the goal but watched it travel into the crossbar. Before WT could muster another attack, the first-half clock ran out as the two teams went into halftime tied at zero.
 
As the teams returned to the field for the second half, the rain started to pick up. With heavy rains and a slick surface, the two teams battled to retain possession with neither team generating a solid attack until the 52^nd minute. As Oklahoma Christian took a ball into the penalty box, Elliott Forestier centered a ball for a teammate, but his partner slipped before he could generate a shot. WT generated a chance of its own in the 63^rd minute when a through-ball found its way to the feet of Watson. As Watson approached goal, an Eagles' defender stepped in to poke the ball of his foot. With six minutes to play, the Buffs' defensive pressure paid off as WT regained possession at midfield. After the ball bounced around, Matteo Landais played a ball through to Nevarez as he was running up the sideline. Nevarez had to slow down to reach the ball but beat the Oklahoma Christian back line and fired a shot past Koerner. As the clock ticked down, the Eagles looked to tie the game when Alexandre Picotto Rodrigues found a clean look at goal but sent his shot well high. The WT defense stood strong in the final minute to walk away with the victory.
 
The Buffs return to the friendly confines of The Pitch for a much-anticipated rematch with No. 2 Midwestern State. The long-standing rivalry game is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28.