Bulldogs Take Down Howard Payne, 5-1

SEGUIN, Texas -- Texas Lutheran women's soccer showcased its depth and skill as three Bulldogs scored and 22 players saw the field in a 5-1 victory over Howard Payne on Friday. The game was highlighted by braces from juniors Alyssa Simien (San Antonio/Warren) and Callie Brame (San Antonio/Churchill). The five goals are the most goals scored in the Kerwin Johnson era and the most since 2018 (Centenary, 5-0).

The Bulldogs (3-0-2) dominated the first half, peppering the Yellow Jackets with a number of quality shots. Alyssia Simien got the scoring started - scoring on a penalty kick just 1:19 into the match Friday night. The goal is the fifth fastest goal in program history, just seven seconds off of her goal against Austin College last season.

Klarissa Martinez (Houston/Incarnate Word Academy) made it 2-0 in the 13th minute via an assist from Simien. Simien would net her third brace of the season via an assist from Ana Parra (San Antonio/Brennan), her fourth assist of the season. With the assist, Parra officially moves into a tie for sixth all-time with 13 career assists with Katie Buehler (2006-08).

Trailing 3-0 at the half, Howard Payne showed signs of life, closing the gap to 3-1 in the 56th minute. The Bulldogs would respond just five minutes later as Callie Brame scored on a corner kick to extend the Bulldogs lead to 4-1.

Brame would be on the attack again in the 79th minute, netting a goal all the way from midfield via an assist from Jessica Robinson (Cibolo/Steele) leaving the Gustafson Field crowd in shock for the final goal of the match. The brace would be the first of Brame's collegiate and TLU career.

The Bulldogs outshot the Yellow Jackets 18-14 and maintained a 12-4 advantage in shots on goal. Madison Johnson (Pflugerville/Hendrickson) made two saves, while Charleigh Phipps (Dripping Springs/Dripping Springs) had one in 68 minutes of play and picked up the win for the Bulldogs.

Texas Lutheran will travel to Hardin-Simmons on Tuesday, Sept. 19 at 7 PM before traveling to Mary Hardin-Baylor on Friday, Sept. 22 at 7 PM for a brief two-game road trip. All streaming and live stats links will be available on tlubulldogs.com.