Date	Time	Opponent	Location	Venue	Links
Saturday, October 28	1:00 p.m.	#2 Midwestern State	Canyon, Texas	The Pitch	Stats | Video | Game Notes

 
CANYON, Texas – With postseason implications on the line, the West Texas A&M men's soccer team hosts longtime-rival and No. 2-ranked Midwestern State at 1 p.m. in Canyon on Saturday. The Buffs and Mustangs meet for the second time this season, but the first time in conference play.
 
LIVE COVERAGE
Live stats and broadcast will be available for the season opener provided by the West Texas A&M athletic communications department with the game aired on the LSC Digital Network. For more information visit GoBuffsGo.com. 
 
All TIME SERIES
The Mustangs are WT's most common opponent in a storied series that dates back to 1991. Midwestern State leads the series with the Buffs by a count of 23-33-5 and enter the game on a two-game winning streak in the series. Earlier in the season, the Buffs and Mustangs met in Wichita Falls on Sept. 23. After WT came out the gates as the aggressors, the Buffs went down to 10 men in the 21^st minute. Midwestern State took advantage of the opportunity and netted a goal before coasting to the end of the game.
 
SCOUTING #2 MIDWESTERN STATE
The Mustangs come to Canyon as one of the hottest teams in the nation, riding a 12-game win streak. Midwestern State wrapped up the Lone Star Conference regular season title and right to host the postseason tournament on Wednesday with a 4-0 win over St. Edward's. Mere Escobar leads the Mustangs with 38 points on 14 goals and 10 assists while Maycol Reyes follows with 18 points on seven goals and four assists. Adam Braman has been lights out in goal all season, allowing just nine goals with 31 saves. Braman's 0.62 goals-against average leads the conference while his .775 save percentage ranks second.
 
BUTCH LAUFFER
Butch Lauffer is in his 33rd season as head men's soccer coach at West Texas A&M University. As the longest tenured head coach in WT history, Lauffer has coached the men to 30 consecutive non-losing seasons and the women to 12-plus victories in 12 seasons. Lauffer has recorded a 377-169-53 (.674) record at the helm of the Buffs with a 566-236-79 (.689) overall record at WT.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Buffs traveled to Oklahoma City for a rainy matchup with Oklahoma Christian on Wednesday. As rain started to fall the two teams looked to be headed for a scoreless draw. WT had chances earlier in the game, but the Eagles' defense squashed the opportunities for the Buffs. After a ball bounced around near midfield, Matteo Landais played a ball through to Gabriel 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 Eagles' goalkeeper Flynn Koerner.
 
LSC PRESEASON POLL
Reigning Lone Star Conference champion St. Mary's sat atop the rankings, collecting 22 of 30 first-place votes for 283 points, followed by Midwestern State (three fpv, 242 points). The Buffs followed just behind the Mustangs with three first-place votes and 237 points. Dallas Baptist collected 207 points with two first-place votes and Oklahoma Christian (192) finished out the top five teams.
 
Lubbock Christian (155) sat sixth in the poll followed by UT Tyler (114) and Texas A&M International (88). St. Edward's (75) and Eastern New Mexico (57) finish the preseason poll. 
  
A LOOK AHEAD
WT ends the regular season with Senior Day against St. Edward's at The Pitch on Wednesday, Nov. 1. The Buffs and Hilltoppers start action at 7 p.m. with senior recognition happening at halftime.