LUBBOCK, Texas - A trio of points from Tariq Bakkali and a big day in net for Tom Miles pushed Lubbock Christian to a 2-1 upset victory over no. 18 West Texas A&M on Saturday, Sept. 19.

The match was physical and in favor of the Buffaloes (2-2-3) early, with West Texas A&M dialing up two shots and both teams combined for four fouls through the first 25 minutes. Heriberto Campuzano recorded the first shot on goal of the match, a low skimmer that was saved by Alfonso Aragon in the 27th minute. 

Lubbock Christian (3-4-1) got on the board first, after Bakkali found Jeremy Chua on a long pass, who ripped a goal to the upper right corner and gave the Chaps a 1-0 lead. Chua's goal was the first score for LCU in 264:52 of game action.

The Buffs recorded a pair of shots late in the opening frame, but Miles saved both of them and LCU headed to the locker room with a 1-0 advantage.

In the 56th minute, Aragon collided with Bakkali in the box, setting up a penalty kick early in the second half. Bakkali calmly buried the PK chance, swelling the Chap lead to 2-0.

LCU was on defense for most of the second period, with Miles stepping up once again in the 77th minute, saving an absolute laser from Venancio Calderon to keep the Buffs off the board.

West Texas A&M finally got on the board in the 87th minute, with Giancarlo Saldana finding the Buffs' leading scorer Kenny Brown on a header, cutting the Chap lead in half 2-1.

The Buffs went on the attack in the final three minutes of the match, but all three shots by West Texas A&M went wide of the mark and LCU held on for the 2-1 victory, snapping their three match losing streak. 

The Chaps win is the team's first over a ranked team since knocking off no. 17 West Texas A&M 3-0 in the second round of the 2021 Lone Star Conference Tournament. Lubbock Christian is now 5-14-1 all-time against ranked teams and 1-1 this season. 

LCU has won three straight over the Buffs, outscoring their rivals from Canyon 8-1 in those matches. 

With two shots, Bakkali ties Nick Gorrie for third most shot attempts in program history with 102 for his career. With two shots on goal today, Bakkali ties Jorge Martinez for fourth most shots on goal in program history with 41. Finally, with three points this afternoon, Bakkali jumps Fernando Flores for second most points in program history, becoming the second ever Chap to record at least 50 points in the history of LCU men's soccer with 51.

The Chaps will have a week off before welcoming another ranked rival to Hub City, facing no. 5 Midwestern State in a nonconference rematch of the 2021 Lone Star Conference Championship Game. Kickoff is set for 3:30 PM on Saturday, Sept. 18.