ALAMOSA, Colo. – Avery Putnam's goal less than five minutes into the West Texas A&M women's soccer match against the Adams State Grizzlies proved to be the difference in a 1-0 win in Alamosa, Colo. on Friday. The Lady Buffs improved to 2-0 on the season while Adams State falls to 0-2-1
 
After Adams State took the opening kickoff, the Grizzlies pushed up the field, moving through the WT back line. Before Adams State could generate a shot, the Lady Buff defense cleared the ball away. WT then went onto an attack of their own where Alexsis Villarreal found space for a deep shot, but Villarreal's shot skipped into the awaiting arms of Grizzlies' goalkeeper Ashlyn Bartley. Following the game's first shot Adams State went down the field to force a corner kick. The in-swinging ball couldn't find a target as the Lady Buffs broke into space with green grass ahead. As Villarreal pushed the pace, the senior found a streaking Avery Putnam who took on the defense. Before entering the penalty box, Putnam placed a well-located shot into the back of the net for a goal.
 
Now holding a one-goal lead, WT started to control the pace of the game, but the Grizzlies wouldn't go away quiet. Adams State continued to use errant passes from the Lady Buffs to advance up the field, but the WT defense blocked multiple shots in the penalty box. The game then turned into a possession battle with neither team gaining a definitive advantage. At halftime, Adams State held a 4-3 advantage in shots on goal and 4-0 lead in corner kicks, but it was WT who led on the scoreboard.
 
The possession battle that started in the first half continued over into the opening minutes of the second half. Just over six minutes into the half, Villarreal recorded the half's first shot, but Bartley came up with a save once again. 30 seconds later, Adams State found a goal-scoring opportunity of its own as Grace Abbott sent a shot over the bar. Despite seeing nine shots in the first 72 minutes, it wasn't until the 73^rd minute when Reagan Heelan had to make her first save of the day.  
 
The Lady Buffs looked to add to their lead in the 82^nd minute as Jordan Bearden took a shot from deep. Bearden's attempt had enough power, but Bartley shifted to her left to make the save and keep the game within one. Adams State attempted to mount one final attack in the closing minutes as a corner kick fell in the middle of the box. Before a Grizzlies' attacker could get to the ball, the WT defense booted the ball out of harm's way. The Lady Buffs then pushed down the field, draining the clock down for a victory.
 
WT stays in Colorado for a tough test against No. 6 Colorado School of Mines on Sunday, Sept. 15. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. Central at Stermole Soccer Stadium in Golden.