LUBBOCK, Texas (March 31, 2021) – Lubbock Christian University scored just one goal and it came only 11 minutes into the match, but it was all they needed to take down St. Mary's 1-0 on Wednesday at the LCU Soccer & Track Complex.
 
With the win the Lady Chaps finish the regular season with a 5-3 record and a 4-3 mark in Lone Star Conference play. They finished second tied for second in their division with St. Edward's, but hold the tiebreaker over the Hilltoppers after beating them 2-0 on March 17. This mean's LCU has the No. 2 seed in their side of the bracket and will have a first- round bye for the LSC Tournament.
 
It was actually St. Mary's that was on the attack early in Wednesday afternoon's matchup, with the Rattlers taking a shot just one minute in and putting their first shot on goal at the 2:04 mark, but it was saved by Hannah Wise.
 
Wise ended up making five saves in the game to bring her season total 28. Her play in goal helped preserve the shutout, which was LCU's fourth of the season. The Lady Chaps enter the postseason having allowed an average of exactly one goal per game from their opponents.
 
LCU's first scoring chance came in the ninth minute when Allison Scott put a shot on goal, but it was saved. Just two minutes later though, St. Mary's committed a foul about 20 yards out, setting up a Lady Chap free kick.
 
Shadiana Haney took the free kick and sent it in toward the far post. Scott put a touch on it there to redirect the ball to Arely Jimenez, who pushed it past the Rattler goalkeeper into the back of the net.
 
Jimenez's goal was her first the season and made her the seventh different Lubbock Christian player to have scored this season. Her last goal came on Nov. 11, 2019 against Eastern New Mexico. The assist from Scott brought her to eight total points on the year, which is tied for the team lead. Haney was also credited with an assist, which was her first of the year.
 
The Rattlers tried to respond quickly, putting three shots on goal in the next 10 minutes of play, but Wise made saves on all three. After that, the Lady Chaps went back on the offensive and nearly got a second goal in the 30^th minute from Celia Duarte, but a St. Mary's player was able to clear the ball off the goal line, and the teams went into halftime with LCU leading 1-0.
 
Lubbock Christian was on offense for nearly the entirety of the second half, allowing only one shot on goal in the entire final 45 minutes.
 
Duarte had another shot on goal just a minute and a half into the second half and Makenna Pate and Jimenez followed with their own, but all three were saved. Pate had two more shots on goal in the second half and probably had the best chance to double the lead.
 
With time winding down, Pate got the ball on a breakaway with only goalkeeper Cameron Koerner in her way. She shot low and to the right of Koerner, but the keeper made a strong kick save. Nevertheless, the Rattlers were unable to create any offense and the Lady Chaps preserved the shutout win.
 
Lubbock Christian will await the results of Saturday's matchup between the No. 3 seed St. Edward's and the No. 6 seed UT Permian Basin to find out who their next opponent is. They will take on the winner of that game on Tuesday at the LCU Soccer & Track Complex.