THE RUNDOWN
WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Freshman keeper Samantha Upton made a season-high 10 saves as Midwestern State battled West Texas A&M almost even for 90 minutes on Friday at Stang Park. Unfortunately for the Mustangs, the 21^st-ranked Lady Buffs snuck a pair of goals past Upton in a 2-0 setback in the Lone Star Conference home opener.
 
The Maroon and Gold missed a golden opportunity in the 17th minute to stake themselves a 1-0 lead. Sophomore forward Madison Williams broke free down the center of the pitch, before firing a shot from 25-yards out that caromed off the left post.
 
Both defenses thrived in the opening 45 minutes as the teams combined for six shots and three saves.
 
WT broke the scoring seal in the 65th minute to grab the lead. Shanelle Arjoon crossed the ball in from the left wing where Hannah Kelley-Lusk lobbed a shot to the far post from 12 yards out, sneaking by Upton.
 
MSU Texas continued to battle to the final gun. Trailing 1-0, the Mustangs fired a pair of shots in a chaotic final minute and a half. Freshman Senna Garcia blasted a ball from the right wing that ricocheted off a pair of WT players. Senior Brandy Villasana chipped in a corner kick in the final minute when sophomore Kelly Cannistra's shot was blocked.
 
WT's Khaline Jacob scored her ninth goal of the season on a counter attack, breakaway as the final horn sounded.
 
MATCH NOTES
- Midwestern State fell to 2-5-1 overall and 1-2-0 in Lone Star Conference play after a 2-0 setback to No. 21-ranked West Texas A&M
- Coach Ryan Spence suffered his first loss as a head coach against WT
- Friday's match was the Mustangs' first against a ranked opponent this season
- Freshman Samantha Upton made a season-high 10 saves, including seven in the second half
 
UP NEXT
MSU Texas returns to the pitch on Sunday, Sept. 30, against Eastern New Mexico. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. at Stang Park.