CANYON, Texas – After trailing by a goal at halftime, the West Texas A&M men's soccer team knocked off rival and No. 18-ranked Midwestern State 3-1 on Saturday afternoon at The Pitch. With the upset win, the Buffs improve to 4-6-4 overall and 2-2-3 in Lone Star Conference play.
 
After the opening kick, the Mustangs moved down the field immediately applying pressure to the WT defense. Midwestern State looked to have an opening goal less than two minutes in, but the offside flag went up and negated the goal. The Buffs answered with an attack of their own in the eighth minute, but Matteo Landais' shot went wide. After the WT attack, the Mustangs went to work, controlling the game with possession and aggression. A Buffalo foul placed the ball just outside the box where Mere Escobar powered a kick into the top corner. Escobar's shot looked to be a goal, but Luke Southerington made a terrific save to keep the game scoreless. Midwestern State broke the scoring drought in the 25^th minute when Jarrod McKenchie played a ball wide for Cooper Tea. Tea then sent a crossing pass across the face of goal where Samuele Muroni finished the ball into the back of the goal. The goal proved to be the difference in the first half with the Mustangs holding an 8-2 advantage in shots.
 
After halftime, WT made a quick hit at goal as Philip Leano sent a cross into the box. Midwestern State goalkeeper Daniel Robles dove to stop the pass but came up empty. Gabriel Nevarez then controlled the pass on the backside of the goal before netting the tying goal. Southerington's phenomenal day in goal continued in the 56^th minute when the sophomore goalkeeper made a jab save followed by another save on Escobar in the 57^th. The WT back line continued to stop Midwestern State's attacks, holding the Mustangs away for the time being. As the game looked to be headed to a 1-1 draw, Gabriel Nevarez netted his second goal of the afternoon. After Daniel Burton played a free kick into the box, a deflection allowed Nevarez to gather and beat the keeper for the game-winner. Frantically searching for a late equalizer, the Mustangs drew a foul outside the box with a minute to play. Southerington made a critical save before a Buffalo defender cleared the would-be game-tying goal off the line. After the saves, WT went on the counter as Delahmu Reeves and Zakaria Daaou combined to help Dominic Murphy put in the insurance goal.
 
WT continues its slate of rivalry matches on Wednesday, Oct. 30 when Eastern New Mexico visits Canyon for a 7 p.m. first kick.