THE RUNDOWN
The No. 5 Patriots completed the 2021 regular season with a commanding 6-0 win over UT Permian Basin (2-16, 1-12 LSC) on Senior Day. DBU (16-2, 12-1 LSC) grounded the Falcons' offense, outshooting UTPB 33-0 as Ashley Merrill and Delaney Schmidt become the first Patriot duo with a multi-goal game since 2015.

Despite a week-long hiatus, DBU looked sharp from the opening kickoff to the final buzzer. In the ninth minute, Ashley Merrill opened the scoring column off assists from Melanie Castelan and Abigail Olmos. Then in her program-leading 92nd career start, Delaney Schmidt provided the insurance goal to give DBU the 2-0 lead. The first half fireworks concluded with another goal from Merrill in the 31st minute as the Patriots took a 3-0 lead into the locker room. 

It took the offense 10 minutes to pick up where it left off in the second half of action, as Merrill connected with Schmidt for the 4-0 goal. A 30-yard strike from Melissa Jones and a Madison Smalley corner kick would complete the day and the 6-0 win.  

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW 
-DBU's 9-2 home record is its best since 2017.
-Delaney Schmidt is the new program leader with 92 career starts.
-Coach Michelle Lenard picks up her 196th career win. 

COACH MICHELLE LENARD ON THE WIN
"I am so incredibly proud of this group of seniors. They have persevered through the hardest year and a half in college athletics, both on the field and off. They are an unbelievable example of commitment, resilience, and what it means to be a team. They have endured through canceled seasons, injuries, and family tragedies. Yet, they have done so with incredible grace, strength, and resolve. They have risen to the challenge time and again and have always been there to encourage and lift each other up. 

It has been an absolute honor to coach them and I am a better coach and person because of them. The team has reached new heights and set new standards every year under their leadership. I can't wait to see where they take this team next and how they change the world when they leave here."

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
8 - Ashley Merrill leads the country with eight game-winning goals. 
33-4 DBU has outscored opponents 33-4 over its nine-game win streak. 
9 - Abigail Olmos leads the team with nine assists.

UP NEXT
No. 5 DBU will compete in the semifinal round of the Lone Star Conference Tournament at 5:00 P.M. on Friday, November 12.