The Lone Star Conference Women’s Soccer Champion Lady Buffs fell to Metro State of Denver in the first round of the NCAA Division II Tournament, 4-1, on Nov. 9. Falling behind from early on, the WTAMU Lady Buffs failed to score until late in the match.

In the beginning of the match, it was evenly matched as both sides traded shots before Metro State’s Noemy Polanco scored off a cross from Brandi Farley, who was given the assist. After the half, it was then when the flood gates opened as the Roadrunners scored two goals by Kelci Newlin with Abby Rolph and Karisa Price provided the assists and Abby Rolph knocking in a goal of her own in the 59th minute of the match.

The Lady Buffs countered with a goal in the 75th minute by senior defender Becky Peth, which was her first goal of the 2012 campaign. However, the Roadrunners proved to be too much as Aubrey Fondy goal and Shursteen Sharpe assist helped Metro State move on the NCAA Division II tournament.

“One of the best and hardest things about soccer is that no matter what is said about the team on paper, it’s about whoever is the best team that day wins,” said senior striker Leslie Briggs. “Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case for us on Friday. But we still have a lot to be proud of – making it into the postseason when we weren’t even expected to make it out of the conference. It’s been a good season, I couldn’t ask for anything better.”

With the elimination, the Lady Buffs end their season with a 13-7-1 overall record while Metro State moves forward in the tournament with a record of 14-5-2 overall.