WICHITA FALLS, Texas – It was almost a fairy tale ending on senior night for Midwestern State senior Tatum Sharp, who nabbed the first goal of the game.

But Texas A&M-Commerce's Cora Welch struck for the equalizer before halftime, while Cora Welch supplied the difference maker in the 81st minute to lift the Lions to a 2-1 win Wednesday night at Stang Park.

MSU started strong with three quick shots from Avery Lewis, Sharp, and Kelly Cannistra in the first 11 minutes. Both Sharp and Cannistra forced TAMCU goalkeeper, Lauren Banning, into a save.

Taylor Camp put up her first stop in the 16th minute on a shot by Leslie Campuzano.

Julia Orozco, another senior on the Midwestern State side, provided the closest play of the game. After beating a defender, the forward ripped a rocket towards the upper right corner of the goal. Banning made a great save by pushing the ball back and over the crossbar.

Sharp converted only two minutes later. The Stephenville, Texas, native notched her first goal of the year after a ball into the box from Randi Heaton was cleared away by the Lions defense. The ball dropped to Sharp's feet and she launched it into the upper right hand corner. The shot came from just outside of the 18-yard box and was too far for Banning.

Texas A&M-Commerce responded five minutes later with a goal of their own. A poorly placed pass by MSU put the ball right in the path of Gracie Spradley with room right outside the box. Cora Welch ran between the defenders and slid the ball over Camp to even the score.

The half completed without any more goals from either side. The Mustangs took seven shots and placed four on goal. They added two corner kicks and one save to the mix. Commerce tallied nine shots in the first half with one going on goal. The Lions totaled one corner and four saves with a Rylie Robertson booking at 32:57.

Refreshed and rejuvenated, Midwestern State began the second half on a run. Valentina Carvajal and Hannah Morrison completed shots in the first few minutes. Camp also denied Welch as she tried to bag her second of the game.

Play was back and forth with neither team getting as many shots off. However, the tides changed in the 81st minute when Welch grabbed the brace. As MSU attempted to clear the ball from their defensive end, the Lions stepped in to block it. The ball fell to Campuzano at the top of the 18 with room in front. She faked a shot and slipped the ball in to Welch who found the side netting to put her team ahead.

Down by one with less than ten minutes to play, the Mustangs pushed to find the equalizer. Lewis, Cannistra, and Morrison all took chances in the last few minutes of play. Unfortunately, none could convert and the team fell 1-2 in the last regular season game of the Lone Star Conference.

Midwestern State put up eight shots in the second half with two falling on goal. They also had two corner kicks and two saves. TAMUC had four shots for the second with two going on goal. The Lions posted two corners and two saves as well.

MSU ends the season at a 1-6-1 record in 2021. The team will head to LSC post season starting on Saturday, April 3. The time and opponent for the first round of the Lone Star tournament will be set this week.