The Eastern New Mexico women’s soccer team was able to rebound from a tough loss as they went into Midwestern State and came away with a 2-1 victory in Lone Star Conference play on Sunday.
The Hounds (4-3-2, 2-2-1 LSC) defense smothered the Mustangs (2-6-1, 1-3 LSC) in the first half, holding Midwestern State to just two shots, none of which were on-goal. Eastern mustered nine shots in the first half, placing four on-goal, but were unable to find the back of the net, sending the two teams into the half with a scoreless tie.
The Mustangs did manage to get their first shot on-goal in the 53rd minute, but freshman goalkeeper Taylor Jackson made her 15th consecutive save on a shot on-goal.
Unfortunately, Jackson’s save streak would end just moments later as Midwestern State’s Madison Williams scored her second goal of the season on a 25-yard shot from the left side to the right post in the 61st minute to put the Mustangs ahead 1-nil.
Eastern had the opportunity to score the equalizer at the 67:58 mark, but senior midfielder Bailey Bosley’s shot was saved. However, the Hounds would get the game-tying goal less than a minute later as sophomore midfielder Kierra Diaz’s shot found the back of the net off of a deflection 68:38 into the match.
In the 74th minute, junior defender Charlotte Collins-Blaize put a shot past the goalkeeper from eight yards out off a Diaz assist, putting the Hounds ahead 2-1.
MSU had a chance to tie the game 81:32 mark, but Jackson picked up her second save to keep Eastern ahead.
With one goal and one assist in the match, Diaz finished with a career-high three points. Collins-Blaize’s game-winner was the first goal of her Greyhounds career.
After picking up the victory, the Hounds have won three straight against Midwestern State, the first time in the history of the program Eastern has won three in a row against the Mustangs.
Next week, the Hounds will be back on the road as they will travel to San Angelo, Texas on Oct. 5 to take on Angelo State for a 6 p.m. match.
