LONGVIEW, Texas -- Women's soccer was overtaken by Howard Payne, 3-1, on Saturday evening.

LeTourneau falls to 1-7-1, while Howard Payne moves to 4-4-1.

Following a back-and-forth 18 minutes of first half action, which included two saves for Kelauna Cruz, Kiana Chastain found the back of the net for Howard Payne, putting them ahead 1-0.

The YellowJackets answered later in the half, getting two opportunities to put shots on net, but Howard Payne keeper Landry Combs was able to keep her sheet clean for the moment.

As the second half began, it was LeTourneau who began on the offensive end, with Clarissa Martinez getting a shot away, but Combs again made a stop. One minute and five seconds later, Chastain scored again for Howard Payne, increasing their lead to 2-0.

Chanel Kemball-Cook had an answer, however, driving a rebound from a Shelby Smith shot into the net less than a minute later to give the YellowJackets life, now only down 2-1.

Another opportunity found Kemball-Cook 24 seconds after another good save by Cruz, but Combs again was just able to keep the lead preserved.

In the 73rd minute, Howard Payne received another chance and converted, with Sarah Krusing giving them insurance with a goal to increase the lead to 3-1.

The YellowJackets fired three more shots on goal in the waning moments, but none of them could get past Combs.

In all, Kelauna Cruz saved seven shots for LeTourneau and Landry Combs saved 11 for Howard Payne. Sarah Wyatt and Clarissa Martinez were iron women, playing all 90 minutes for the YellowJackets.

UP NEXT

LeTourneau prepares for an upcoming homecoming match against rival East Texas Baptist next Saturday at 5 p.m.

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