PORTALES, N.M. – The West Texas A&M women's soccer team went on the road to secure a 2-0 victory over Eastern New Mexico on Wednesday night. With the win, the Lady Buffs improve to 4-2 overall and 1-0 in Lone Star Conference play while the Greyhounds fall to 1-3-1 overall (0-1 LSC).
 
After a possession battle started the game, Eastern New Mexico recorded the first shot five minutes in. Close to 30 yards away from goal, Sarah Tate floated a ball toward WT goalkeeper Reagan Heelan. As Heelan started to jump, the ball went over the crossbar and out of danger. Despite being held without a shot for the first 11 minutes of the game, the Lady Buffs found the scoreboard first. After a throw in went to Avery Putnam, the sophomore turned and fired a shot at the goal. Before ENMU goalkeeper Rosie Willmott Joyce could come up with a save, the shot slipped under her arm and into the back of the net. The Greyhounds found another scoring chance in the 21^st minute as a Lady Buff foul set up a free kick. On the restart, Louise Godden put the ball into the top corner, but a punching save by Heelan prevented the ball from entering the goal. Although Eastern New Mexico out-shot WT 6-3 and held a 2-1 advantage in shots on goal, Putnam's goal was the difference at halftime.
 
In the second half, the two teams exchanged shots on goal early before the Greyhounds registered a pair of off-target attempts in the 55^th minute. After a takeaway, Putnam tested Willmont Joyce once again with the ENMU goalkeeper winning the battle. Another defensive steal in the 56^th minute set up the Lady Buffs' second goal of the evening as Bailey Malone sent a ball forward for Emily McGuire. While racing past two defenders, McGuire took a touch around Willmont Joyce who came off her line. With no one defending the goal, McGuire put the ball into the back of the net. Eastern New Mexico continued to produce runs through the WT defense, but Heelan controlled play from her keeper position. In the 75^th minute, a yellow card gave the Greyhounds a free kick in their attacking third. The kick to restart play went to the foot of an ENMU defender but weak contact went to Heelan in net.  Before the Greyhounds could break up the shutout, the Lady Buffs ran out the clock for their first conference win of the season.
 
WT welcomes St. Mary's to The Pitch on Saturday, Sept. 28 for a 7 p.m. Lone Star Conference matchup.