DENTON, Texas (Sept. 5, 2023) – For the second time in four days, the cheers, celebration and joyous playing of All We Do Is Win could be heard across the campus of Texas Woman's University, as the Texas Woman's soccer team recorded their second win of the season in just their second game at Pioneer Soccer Park.
 
TWU (2-0) continued their winning streak against East Central (0-3) at home, defeating the Tigers 2-0 in exciting fashion.
 
Not only did the Pioneers improve on their record from last season in just two games, but they also started off the season with two straight wins for the first time since 2019 (a season which saw TWU earn a trip to the NCAA Tournament).

Additionally, the Pioneers are currently undefeated against the Tigers in their last five meetings and have not conceded a goal to ECU since 2013, when the 5-0 streak began with a 3-1 victory.

 Despite the goals for TWU coming late in the second half, the 90 minutes of action at Pioneer Soccer Park was dominated offensively by TWU.
 
The Pioneers recorded 33 total shots, 19 in the first half and 14 in the second half, with 14 of those shots being on frame. TWU's 33 shots marks the most shots in a game by the Pioneers since the 2018 season when TWU recorded 36 shots in a 3-3 draw against Midwestern State.
 
Dylann Vollaro led TWU in shot attempts with six, a career high, and three on goal, and Alyssa Striker, one of the Pioneers' goal scorers also finished with three shots on frame – also a career high for the freshman. 
 
As shown by the 33 shots, the game tonight was defined by the number of opportunities the Pioneers had at goal. In the first half, TWU took seven corner kicks and easily controlled the possession. The pace of the game was established early by the Pioneers as well, as Ailyn Oliveros tested Linea Anderson, the Tigers' keeper, early at the five minute mark. Not long after, Striker found her first look at goal, but Anderson recorded the save.
 
Despite recording 19 shots in the first half, the Pioneers could not capitalize and find the back of the net.
 
The second half started out much the same way for TWU, as Bri Luna and Vollaro opened the second half with back-to-back shot attempts and the Pioneers kept pushing to find the go-ahead goal.
 
Then, in the 74th minute, Alyssa Valdez, who played left back, dribbled the ball out of the back line for the Pioneers and into space. With the Tigers' defender playing off of her, she dribbled toward the center of the field, just as Striker was making a run from the right and across the face of her defender.
 
A perfectly placed ball in Striker's stride allowed her the chance to utilize her speed and easily beat the defender. The keeper attempted to challenge, but Striker quickly found the back of the net to give the Pioneers the 1-0 advantage.
 
Striker's goal marks the second of her career.
 
One goal going in ignited the flame for the Pioneers on offense, and the magic of the "Alyssa's" continued . A minute and 22 seconds later Valdez once again took advantage of the space ECU was giving her. She did a one-touch pass with Bailee Radney on the left side, which opened her into the center of the field. Valdex sped past a lone defender who had stepped out to meet her, squared her body and struck the ball from about 30 yards out.
 
The strike was beautiful, as it caught the ECU keeper on her heels and soared powerfully into the back of the net. The goal by Valdez was her first goal of her collegiate career.
 
With the 2-0 lead, the Pioneers continued to play smart and closed the game strong, maintaining the shutout victory.
 
TWU's back line of Hayley Masoner, Rylee Avery, Erica Brelove and Valdez provided a brick wall for the Pioneers tonight, only giving up six total shots and three on frame.
 
Amanda Farris anchored the Pioneers' defense, recording her first shutout of the season with three saves.
 
The Pioneers go on the road for the first time this season on Thursday, Sept. 7, as they travel to Shawnee, Okla. to face Oklahoma Baptist.

Hear from TWU Head Coach Babak Abouzar and Alyssa Valdez after the win: https://youtu.be/6IEsQDjM5Pc.