CANYON, Texas – The West Texas A&M women's soccer team battled with the UT Tyler Patriots on Saturday afternoon in Canyon before falling in the Lone Star Conference matchup, 2-0. The loss drops the Lady Buffs record to 6-7-1 overall and 3-5-1 in Lone Star Conference play while UT Tyler improves to 10-2-3 overall and 5-2-3 in league play.
 
After gaining possession in the game's opening minutes, the Lady Buffs went on the attack. Mollie Ferro recorded the game's first shot seven minutes into the game, pressuring the UT Tyler back line. The Patriots nearly scored early as well as an intercepted pass on the back line led to an open goal look for Launa Torrez. The Lady Buffs were able to take a breath and reset after Torrez's shot sailed high and wide. WT countered after the scoring chance for UT Tyler as Alexsis Villarreal took her chance from outside the box. Villarreal nearly snuck her shot under the crossbar, but a leaping save from Emily Clark pushed the ball over for a corner. On the ensuing kick, Avery Putnam put a charge into one as a bouncing ball landed at her feet. Despite back-and-forth attacks from each team, neither side could put a shot into the back of the net. Throughout the next minutes of the game, WT controlled the momentum although both teams split possession on the field. At the end of the first half, the game remained scoreless with UT Tyler holding a slight advantage in shots.
 
After regrouping at halftime, the Patriots came out strong, quickly taking possession and moving up the field. The early pressure forced a foul on the Lady Buffs where the free kick bounced around the box. WT cleared the ball away and looked to counter, but Sydnee Garner stole back possession. Garner wasted no time in creating space before rifling a shot into the corner of the goal. The Lady Buffs looked to answer with a goal of their own, but the UT Tyler defense thwarted each attack WT pieced together. The Patriots added to their lead in the 70^th minute as Jacqueline Wiebe stole possession from the Lady Buffs. Wiebe took the ball down to the end line before chipping a pass to Ella Anderson who finished the ball. Now trailing by two goals, WT attempted to cut into the lead but stout defense from the Patriots kept the differential stable.
 
WT faces another tough test on Tuesday, Oct. 29 when Angelo State comes to The Pitch. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.