CANYON, Texas – The Eastern New Mexico women's soccer program fell behind early and were unable to rally on the road against nationally 21st-ranked West Texas A&M as the Hounds dropped a 3-1 decision Wednesday night.
In the second minute, the Lady Buffs scored the first goal of the match as sophomore forward Hannah Kelley-Lust beat the Hounds junior goalkeeper Kirsten Lane to the far post off a long pass from Jessica Diaz to make it a 1-nil deficit for ENMU.
Despite giving up an early goal, Eastern was able to keep the pressure on the Lady Buffs and had a golden opportunity to tie the match up in the 41st minute. Senior midfielder Kaitlyn Caro got an open look on a beautiful cross from the near side from ten yards out, but her shot sailed just over the crossbar.
Moments later, West Texas A&M managed to pad their lead as WTAMU freshman midfielder Maliyah Mendoza received a corner kick from Marlene van Mourik as her shot slipped just past the goalkeeper on the far side of the net to make it 2-0 at the 43:01 mark.
The Hounds had an opportunity to cut into the Lady Buffs lead early in the second half as Caro received a free kick from 20 yards out on a foul at the 60:15 mark, but her shot just barely sailed over the crossbar once again.
In the 72nd minute, Eastern survived a scare off of a free kick as Khadisha Debesette's shot hit the crossbar and was quickly corralled by Lane to keep West Texas A&M from expanding the lead.
However, the Lady Buffs would add to their advantage in the 85th minute as Khaline Jacob received a cross on far side as her shot slipped through the defense to make it a 3-nil game.
The Hounds were finally able to break through the WTAMU defense at the 87:19 mark as junior midfielder Samantha Fabela made a fantastic corner kick from the near side that found sophomore defender Keyara Zuniga as her header found the back of the net cut the deficit to two, but the Hounds could climb no closer as the Lady Buffs held on to the 3-1 win.
The goal by Keyara Zuniga was her first goal of the season and the second in her Greyhounds career. The assist from Fabela on the play was her second assist of the season.
Lane took her second loss in the net on the season, giving up three goals while making six saves in the contest.
The Lady Buffs outshot Eastern 17-13 in the contest, but Eastern was able to match WTAMU as both teams placed nine shots on-goal.
The Hounds will look to bounce back on Sunday as they will travel to Wichita Falls, Texas to take on Midwestern State for an 11 a.m. match.
