CANYON, Texas – Coming off its first season-opening loss since 2015, the West Texas A&M men's soccer team looks to register its first win of the 2023 season on Saturday. The Buffs (0-1) travel to Durango, Colo. where a non-conference match with Fort Lewis awaits. Action between the Buffs and Skyhawks starts at 8 p.m. Central at FLC Dirks Field.
 
LIVE COVERAGE
Live stats and broadcast will be available for the season opener provided by the St. Mary's athletic communications department with the game aired on the RMAC Network. For more information visit GoBuffsGo.com. 
 
All TIME SERIES
WT trails the all-time series with Fort Lewis, 8-12-1. The Buffs and Skyhawks started their series in 1991 with the last matchup coming in 2015. In that game, Fort Lewis defeated WT 2-0 and extended its win streak to four games. The Buffs last registered a win on Nov. 8, 2007, with a 2-1 win.
 
SCOUTING FORT LEWIS
Fort Lewis started its season with a 1-1 record. The Skyhawks fell to Lubbock Christian 3-2 defeat. LCU took the lead early and fought off a comeback minded FLC team. A few days later, the Skyhawks went into the break tied with Eastern New Mexico. After halftime, Fort Lewis scored a pair of second-half goals to take down the Greyhounds. Four Skyhawks have scored this season with Gabriel Legendre leading the way with two. Aidan Hartman and Lucas Martin have split time in goal, combining for four goals allowed and four saves.
 
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 370-165-50 (.675) record at the helm of the Buffs with a 559-232-67 (.691) overall record at WT.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Buffs couldn't find an offensive rhythm in a 2-0 loss to then-No.9 ranked St. Mary's. The Rattlers took advantage of a WT foul inside the box nearly 10 minutes into the game when Cian Foley capitalized on a penalty kick. Down a goal, the Buffs continued to advance up the field but couldn't get past the St. Mary's back line. In the second half, the Rattler pressure forced an errant pass from WT, leading to an open-field goal. At the end of the game, WT and St. Mary's tied in shots and shots on goal with the Buffs walking away with the advantage in corner kicks.
 
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 welcomes Southern Nazarene for its home opener on Sept. 12. Kickoff against the Crimson Storm is slated for 7 p.m. at The Pitch.