CANYON, Texas – The West Texas A&M men's soccer team successfully defended its home field on Wednesday as the Buffs took down Lubbock Christian, 2-0. WT, winners of three straight, improved its record to 3-2-1 and are unbeaten in its last four contests.

The Buffs and Chaps opened the non-conference matchup as each team took turns advancing up the field. Despite the game being played in each team's respective attacking third, neither team could find an opening to score as both the Buffs and Chaps back lines cleared any dangerous opportunities. Lubbock Christian found a great opportunity to get on the board early in the game as the Chaps sent a service into the box. The ball bounced around before the WT defense cleared the chance. The Buffs countered on the clearance, taking the ball the length of the pitch. The counterattack proved to be productive as Josh Beeson found a shot but watched the ball go off an LCU defender. As the first half went on, the Buffs made the game tough for the Chap goalkeeper Tom Miles and the defense.
 
The pressure paid off in the 36^th minute as Dylan Watson sent a service into a crowded Lubbock Christian box. Watson's ball into the box went to Ben Siri who was making a run. Siri let the ball go past him to an open Matteo Landais on the back post where Landais put the ball into the back of the net. After 45 minutes of play, the Buffs led on the scoreboard while holding a 10-4 advantage in shots and 4-1 difference in corner kicks.
 
WT carried over the momentum gained in the first half as the Buffs struck quickly in the second half. After WT took possession at midfield, Gabriel Nevarez found a streaking Keaton Hartman in open space. Hartman raced past the Chaps' back line as Miles came off his line. As Miles went to the ground, the Hobbs, N.M. native slipped a shot under his arm and rolled the ball into the back of the net less than a minute into the second period.
 
Following the Buffs' second goal, WT retreated to the defensive side as LCU looked to mount a comeback. As the Chaps surged up the field, the intensity at The Pitch ramped up with neither team wanting to give the other a definitive edge. The Buffs' defensive presence kept LCU off the board for the remainder of the second half while conceding three shots.
 
WT faces yet another Lone Star Conference rival on Saturday as the Buffs take on Midwestern State. Kickoff for the non-conference matchup with the Mustangs is set for 2 p.m. at Stang Park in Wichita Falls, Texas.