WICHITA FALLS, Texas – The lightning started flashing with just under 11 minutes remaining in the match, cutting short any opportunities for the St. Mary's University Women's Soccer team to even the contest at No. 11 Midwestern State on Wednesday, as after several delays the game was called.
The Mustangs (13-1-1, 9-1-1) jumped out to a 2-0 advantage at home, but the Rattlers (6-7-2, 4-6-1) fought back, as freshman
Emilee Durante (San Antonio) found fellow freshman
Helen Lazaro (Garland, Texas) open on the left wing. Lazaro cut back to the center and scored her 12th goal of the year in the 72nd minute, 7.5 minutes before lightning hit in the area.
The 12th goal for Lazaro gives her the St. Mary's single-season freshman scoring record, breaking the previous mark of 11 by Kaitie Kasperitis in 2011. It also moves Lazaro into a tie for the fifth-most in a single season in StMU history. The all-time mark for goals in a year is 20 by Kristen Ferguson in 1997.
It is also the fifth assist of the year for Durante, as she leads the team in that category and it is the second time the two have teamed up for a goal this season.
Lazaro collected two of the team's three shots on goal, while sophomore
Natalya Hendrus (New Braunfels, Texas) had the other.
Freshman
Callie Gilliam (Lake Jackson, Texas) made a career-high seven saves, as the Mustangs put nine of their 17 shots on goal, with Sloane Sullivan scoring in the 19th minute and Madison Brinkley kicking the game winner in the 54th minute.
The Rattlers have a bye on Saturday, returning to the pitch on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at Sigma Beta Chi Field for Alumni Night. Game time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
