THE RUNDOWN
COMMERCE, Texas – First half goals by Taylor Robinson and Destinee Williamson and a second half penalty kick save by Courtney Burnette lifted Midwestern State to its first win over Texas A&M-Commerce since 2014 in a 2-1 victory Sunday afternoon at Lion Soccer Field.
 
Robinson struck for Midwestern State's (7-2, 3-1 LSC) earliest goal of the season in the 10th minute Sunday with her first score of the year, getting past the Lions defense with a shot that deflected off goalkeeper Caitlin Duty's hands and into the net for a 1-0 MSU advantage.
 
Just over two minutes later, Williamson netted her team-leading fourth goal of the season off a pass from Avery Lewis into the right side of the net for a 2-0 MSU lead 12 minutes into the contest.
 
Texas A&M-Commerce cut its deficit in half midway through the first half with a header goal from Michelle Kotlik at the 21:59 mark.
 
The Lions fired off eight of their 14 shots in the second period trying to record the equalizer. Texas A&M-Commerce earned a penalty kick opportunity in the 67th minute with its leading scorer Sophie Haywood set to take the kick to even the match. However, a diving save by Burnette on the right side of the net prevented a game-tying goal and swung the momentum back to the Mustangs.
 
The Lions threatened again in the final minutes as a shot by Sabrina Munguia hit the crossbar at the 86:27 mark. Burnette collected her fifth and final save of the afternoon with 42 seconds remaining with a stop on Haywood's attempt to give the Mustangs the 2-1 victory.
 
NOTES
- Midwestern State earned its first win over Texas A&M-Commerce since a 2-1 victory at Lion Soccer Field on Oct. 17, 2014
- Destinee Williamson's 29th career goal Sunday moved her into a tie for fifth in the school record books
- Taylor Robinson netted her second career score in Sunday's match
- Texas A&M-Commerce led 14-13 in shots while holding a 6-5 edge in shots on goal
- Williamson led the Mustangs with three shots including two on frame
 
QUOTE OF THE MATCH
"We started very well and probably played the best 30 minutes we've played the entire season. This group has become committed to being better and working hard. If you're able to get a few goals that early you're able to set yourself up for a good game. The PK save that Courtney (Burnette) had was tremendous. That was a turning point in the game. Taylor (Robinson) played as well as I've ever seen her play today." – Head coach Damian Clarke

UP NEXT
Midwestern State takes on its second nationally-ranked opponent of the season Wednesday as the Mustangs continue their road stretch in Austin against No. 4 St. Edward's (Texas). Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. at Lewis-Chen Family Field.