THE RUNDOWN
A bold strategy paid off early for the DBU Women's Soccer team (10-3-2, 8-1-2 Heartland Conference) as they defeated Lubbock Christian (9-5-1, 6-4-1) 3-0 Thursday.

Delaney Schmidt, making her first start at forward after starting the previous 13 games at center back, scored twice in the first five minutes, and the Patriots never looked back. Alondra Olmos assisted both of Schmidt's goals.

Lindsay McManus scored her second goal of the season in the 22nd minute with an assist from Kaci Parks to pad the DBU lead.

Hope Koym and Grace Johnson combined for the shutout for the second time this season.


THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
 - The Patriots still have the best record in the Heartland Conference at 8-1-2, and with three games remaining have guaranteed themselves a spot in the Heartland Conference tournament.

 - Schmidt and McManus became the eight and ninth Patriots, respectively, to score their second goal of the season.

 - If DBU wins two of its next three games, or wins one and ties the other two, it will be guaranteed the regular season Heartland Conference championship.


HEAD COACH MICHELLE LENARD ON HER TEAM'S FAST START
"We wanted to put them under pressure early. That's huge, for us to get a couple goals early. It takes the pressure off. It allows us to make early changes in the game and rest some players. It was our game plan, and the girls did a good job of executing it."

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
2 - Olmos' two assists were a season-high for any Patriot.

2  - Schmidt became the second Patriot to score twice in the same match in as many games. Brittany Eccles accomplished that feat in a 2-1 win at Newman on Saturday.

2 - The loss was only Newman's second at home.Patriots are on a modest two-game win streak.


UP NEXT
The Patriots host Oklahoma Christian in a Heartland Conference match at 1:00 p.m. Saturday at Patriot Soccer Field. The DBU seniors will be honored in a ceremony before the game.