Briggs leads West Texas A&M past MSU, 2-1

by Trey Reed

September 21, 2012

WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- West Texas A&M senior Leslie Briggs netted the game winner in the 100th minute of overtime to lift the Lady Buffs to a 2-1 win over Midwestern State Friday night at the MSU Soccer Field.

"Both teams were equally matched," MSU coach Jeff Trimble said. "Leslie Briggs is a great player and she really made an impact for them."

The Mustangs led in just about every statistical category against WT including a 26-19 edge in shots and 6-4 advantage in corner kicks and grasped the advantage on Katy Catney's first goal of the season in the 66th minute.

"We played a really good soccer game and we're moving forward and progressing," Trimble said. "Katy had a great game for us. We've been telling them it doesn't have to be a pretty shot. That ball was rolling across her and (the goal) gave us a good lift."

But Briggs was the difference for the Lady Buffs as she had a hand each of the side's tallies.

She worked her way to the left wing before serving a cross to Emily Krenek in the 74th minute to net the West Texas A&M equalizer then was on the end of a combination of passes from Krenek and Kelsey Wright for the winning goal in overtime.

"We need to work harder defensively," Trimble said. "That's how they got the equalizer because we didn't pressure the ball. We have to be smarter in the last minute of games, halves, regulation and overtimes. We made a few key mistakes in sudden death overtime will hurt you."

Senior goalkeeper Mallory Whitworth played brilliantly in defeat making seven saves.

"Mallory played one the great games I've seen her play tonight," Trimble said. "She is a great keeper and she was on tonight. She's a special player and she keeps us in games."

Trimble also lauded the play of senior midfielder Maddie Fraser and converted freshman defender Alex Edwards.

"Maddie did really well winning balls in the air, was really blue collar and worked hard tonight," he said. "Alex did a great job in the back. I was excited to see her play that well."

Midwestern State (1-5-1, 1-1-1) closes the weekend by playing host to Eastern New Mexico Sunday afternoon at the MSU Soccer Field. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

"We loved the fans being there and supporting us, but it's really hard that we didn't come away with a win for everyone," Trimble said.

West Texas A&M improved to 4-3-1 on the season and to 3-1 in league play.