DALLAS (Nov. 13, 2025) - Under the bright lights at Patriot Soccer Field, Texas Woman's soccer delivered a landmark moment in program history. The third-seeded Pioneers battled past second-seeded Midwestern State 1-0, advancing to their first-ever Lone Star Conference Championship match while also earning their 15th win of the season, matching the program's single-season record.
In a defensive grind where the Mustangs (11-2-6, 10-0-4) out shot TWU 16-8, the Pioneers (15-2-3, 9-2-3) remained composed and absorbed pressure throughout the first half, which ended scoreless despite three TWU corners and early looks. TWU struck just 48 seconds into the second half, as Alyssa Striker crossed a ball into the box for Bri Luna, who finished at the for the match's lone goal. The buildup began with midfielder Jaida Arizmendi, who helped create the sequence for the secondary assist.
With the lead secured, TWU leaned on their defensive unit and goalkeeper Faith Graves, who delivered five saves, including two in the final minutes, to lock down her sixth straight clean sheet and send the Pioneers into Sunday's championship match.
IMPACT PLAYERS
PIONEER POWER MOMENTS
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14' – TWU created early pressure with back-to-back corners that led to shots from Luna and Striker, forcing the Mustangs to defend deep in their own box.
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46' – Luna scores her third goal of the year off a pinpoint assist from Striker, giving the Pioneers the 1–0 advantage moments into the second half.
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82' & 88' – Graves makes two crucial saves on low-driven shots to maintain the clean sheet and help the Pioneers advance to the Championship Round.
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH BABAK ABOUZAR, BRI LUNA, AND FAITH GRAVESÂ
NEXT UP
The Pioneers advance to the 2025 LSC Championship match on Sunday, Nov. 16 against top-seeded and No. 1-ranked Dallas Baptist. TWU looks to avenge their loss to DBU earlier this season and capture their first conference title in program history.
