BROWNWOOD, Texas — An early first-half goal proved to be the difference as East Texas Baptist University defeated Howard Payne University, 1-0, on Saturday night, earning its first American Southwest Conference win of the season. ETBU is now 5-3-3 and 1-2-0 in the ASC.
 
ETBU out shot HPU 10-8, including a 4-2 edge in the first half and 6-6 in the second. Of the Tigers' 10 total shots, five were on target. Goalkeeper Cadence Tishler recorded two key saves to preserve the shutout — her seventh of the season. Lenah Montes and Liliana Garcia both had two shots with one on goal each. Caroline Wilemon, Mallory Duncan, and Madeline Rumachik each had a shot on goal.
 
HPU had a shot on goal in the ninth minute but Tischler had the save to stop the early momentum. Montes then scored the lone goal of the match in the 25th minute, lifting the Tigers to a 1-0 lead. HPU took only two shots in the first half.
 
The second half featured a back and forth contest as HPU took six shots with one on goal. ETBU also had six shots with three on goal. Rumachik and Duncan had back-to-back on-goal shots in the 53^rd minute as Garcia's shot came in the 61^st minute. HPU took one final shot in the 90^th minute but it went left as the game ended.
 
ETBU returns home on Saturday, To host Hardin-Simmons at 7:30 p.m. in an ASC match up during Homecoming weekend.