DENTON, Texas (Sept. 17, 2022) – With a career first goal from freshman Bri Luna, the Texas Woman's soccer team earned a result on Saturday against Texas A&M International at Pioneer Soccer Park, tying the Dustdevils 1-1.
 
TWU (1-4-2, 1-0-1) returned to Pioneer Soccer Park for a Saturday afternoon meeting with TAMIU (4-3-1, 0-1-1). On a sunny day in Denton, the Pioneers looked to build on their road win from Wednesday night and earn a result in front of their home crowd.
 
The home crowd at Pioneer Soccer Park was rocking on Saturday afternoon. In partnership with Athletics, Housing and Dining, Fit and Rec and the Student Union, the CARE Office hosted a Pioneer Family Fun Day, which welcomed all TWU student parents and their children to the game for free. With yard games before the match and halftime entertainment, Pioneer Family Fun Day paired with an intense match brought loads of fun to Pioneer Soccer Park.
 
The Pioneers set the tone on the offense side of the ball early on in the match. With quick moves in the midfield and utilizing the runs down the outside, TWU found themselves with multiple chances to take the lead early on.
 
At the 11th minute, Kayla Labra controlled the ball in the center of the attacking half of the field for the Pioneers. She passed to Keely Chapman who was at the top of the 18-yard box. Chapman laid the ball off for Luna, who was making a run down the right side of the box. Luna received it, took a few dribbles toward the goal and sent the ball flying into the top left corner of the net for a goal. 
 
The goal for Luna marked the first of her career and the Pioneers' second goal scored at Pioneer Soccer Park this season.
 
For the next 63 minutes, the Pioneers played with a 1-0 lead. Paige Gross, who got her second career start of the season, anchored the defense at the center back position and fended off several Dustdevils' attacks.
 
Rayne Islas, Dylann Vollaro, Avery Simmons and Abby Daniels also stepped up in defending the chances from TAMIU. Dealing with some plagues of injury, the Pioneers utilized their bench unit well and got valuable time from all players.
 
Alyssa Valdez had a well-played match in the midfield and also stepped into the backline to utilize her speed to defend. Off the bench, Mia Thaxton and Emily Turner brought fresh energy to the Pioneers.
 
While the Pioneers held the Dustdevils scoreless for 73 minutes of action, TAMIU pressured in the second half and broke through to tie the match 1-1 in the 74th minute.
 
Despite allowing one goal, Morgan Sherman still recorded a strong performance. She finished the match with six saves.

TWU finished the match with six shots, two on frame, while TAMIU recorded 19 shots, putting seven on frame.
 
TWU also won the battle in corner kick opportunities with five to the Dustdevils' two.
 
After today's tie, the Pioneers are in an early three-way tie for third place in the LSC with Dallas Baptist and Lubbock Christian, all who are 1-0-1 in conference play.
 
"We had a really good first half today," TWU head coach Babak Abouzar said. "It was nice to see Bri get her first collegiate goal. Texas A&M International put us under a little more pressure in the second half, and we didn't do a good job of adjusting to it. With that being said, I am really proud of our team. We have been through some adversity this season with some tough injuries, but we continue to battle. That's all I can ask for. We will rest up and look to make the necessary adjustments against Eastern New Mexico on Wednesday."
 
TWU will be back in action at Pioneer Soccer Park on Wednesday, Sept. 21 for a matinee LSC match at noon against Eastern New Mexico. Kids eighth grade and younger can get into the match for free, using the promocode KIDSFREE at checkout.