The East Texas A&M Lions opened their season with a 1-0 victory over Grambling State, extending a three‑match winning streak in season openers and securing the program’s first shutout of the year. The match was relocated to the Ruston Sports Complex because of field conditions at Grambling’s campus, where freshman forward Liberty Plasek struck the decisive goal in the second half.
Debut Goal and Goalie Debut
Plasek’s goal came after sustained pressure that forced Grambling’s defense into a scramble, and the ball found its way past the keeper to break the deadlock. The strike not only gave the Lions the lead but also cemented Plasek’s place in the record books as the scorer of the team’s latest opening‑day winner.
In goal, Emmy Finlinson logged the first 45 minutes without facing a shot, allowing Makayla Gonzalez to preserve the clean sheet after halftime with two saves. The combined effort marked a continuation of the Lions’ strong defensive start, echoing a five‑win shutout stretch from the previous season.
Looking Ahead
The Lions will host Oklahoma in their next home opener on Sunday at 7 p.m., a matchup that could extend the longest opening‑day winning streak in program history, which currently stands at six consecutive victories from 2007‑2012. Coach and teammates praised the debut performances of several newcomers, including Lena Junior, Lornah Wasike, Isabella Queneau, Allyson Reed, Addison Eli and Talya Chacon, who all saw action in the contest. The win also moved the Lions to a 2‑0‑1 record against Grambling over the past three seasons.