LAREDO, Texas (September 25, 2021) – Lubbock Christian University got its first Lone Star Conference win of the 2021 season on Saturday, taking down Texas A&M-International 3-1 at Dustdevil Soccer Field.
 
Two goals came early for the Lady Chaps, who remain undefeated on the year with a 4-0-2 record, and Arely Jimenez added a late insurance goal to drop the Dustdevils to 1-6. After the first weekend of Lone Star Conference play, Lubbock Christian is tied for third in the league standings with four points. They are behind DBU and St. Mary's, who were the only LSC teams to start 2-0.
 
Both offenses were aggressive to start the match with a combined four shots on goal in the first 10 minutes, but goalkeepers Hannah Wise and Fabiana Solano matched one another with a pair of early saves.
 
It wasn't long before LCU broke through though, with Celia Duarte finding the back of the net for her first goal of the season in the 12^th minute. She now has 11 goals in her LCU career and 33 total points.
 
The Lady Chaps doubled their lead just eight minutes later, and this time it was Makenna Pate doing the goal-scoring on an assist from Avery Jennings. Pate's goal was her 13^th as a Lady Chap and her second game-winner, but it was the first assist for Jennings as a collegiate soccer player.
 
Texas A&M-International quickly got back into the match with a goal at the 26:19 mark. LCU put two more shots on goal before halftime for a total of seven in the first 45 minutes, but the score was still 2-1 at the break.
 
Although LCU took 10 shots in the second half compared to just eight in the first, only three of the second-half shots were on goal, and TAMIU's offensive chances dwindled as well. Wise was only forced to make one save, which came in the 68^th minute.
 
Kenley Blevins joined the shot on goal party in the 59^th minute, and Julie Shahi had another at the 74:46 mark. Finally in the 78^th minute, LCU got a helpful insurance goal from Jimenez, who shot low and left past the keeper.
 
Jennings assisted again to double her career assist total as Jimenez scored her second goal of the season and the sixth of her career.
 
The Dustdevils were out of steam after the third goal and did not even attempt another shot in the final 12 minutes of play. LCU, on the other hand, kept pressing and attempted four more before the game's end, but all missed for the final score of 3-1.
 
The Lady Chaps will return home now, where they will host UT Permian Basin at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the LCU Soccer & Track Complex.