WICHITA FALLS, Texas  Western Colorado soccer stumbled in its season opener, dropping a 6-1 decision Thursday afternoon to host Midwestern State (Texas) University in a non-conference match at the Mustangs' Stang Field.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• A goal in the eighth minute from MSU's Cassidy Savoy put Western behind, and the Mustang's controlled possession after that icebreaker, eventually notching what would be the game-winning goal in the 22nd.
• The Mountaineers began to find their footing afterward, gaining a corner opportunity a minute later, registering their first shot on goal early in the 28th, and earning another corner from the deflection on that shot by Jordan Welsh.
• Taylor Bottoms and Natsuki Murakami were later able to register shots, but the Mustangs would then counter and go up by three goals in the 36th.
• MSU scored twice in the opening 12 minutes of the second half to increase its advantage, but less than 30 seconds after that second score, Western was finally able to respond with its first goal of the season.
• Cianna Thomas drove a 35-yard shot into the upper right corner of the Mustangs goal in the early moments of the 59th to get the Mountaineers on the board. It was the junior transfer's first goal in a Western uniform.
• That would be the end of the scoring for the Mountaineers, however, as MSU regained control of possession and added one final tally in the 67th.

TURF NOTES

• Western totaled nine shots for the game, with five making it on frame. The Mustangs rang up 32 shots with 15 zeroing in on goal. Both teams earned five corner kick opportunities during the contest.
• Savoy and Sarah Hayes each scored twice for MSU.
• Aubree Orosco started in goal for Western, playing 69 minutes and coming up with 7 saves while surrendering each of the Mustangs' scores. Ashlyn Fitzpatrick finished off the game between the pipes for the Mountaineers, coming up with 2 saves while not allowing a goal.
• The Mountaineers fielded 21 players and two goalies during the game.

UP NEXT
Western completes its season-opening run in Texas with a non-conference matchup Saturday morning in Canyon, Texas, against host West Texas A&M University.