Blinn College men’s soccer notched a 2-0 non-region road shutout against Western Texas College on Sunday in Snyder, Texas, powered by two second-half goals and a strong defensive effort from goalkeeper LeMaster.
The win lifted the Buccaneers to 2-0 overall for the first time since 2022 and just the fourth time since the program began in 2018. Less than 72 hours after opening the season with a 7-3 victory over Hill College, Blinn faced a tougher defensive matchup but ultimately found success in the second half. After a scoreless first half highlighted by three saves from LeMaster, Blinn struck quickly in the 48th minute. Sophomore forward Kayde Gielinck crossed the ball from the left side, where it was redirected by sophomore forward Fernando Arroyo and finished in front of the net by sophomore midfielder Nawfal Hadj-Hamou.
The Bucs sealed the win in the 85th minute when Hadj-Hamou played wide to freshman midfielder Jorge Patino, who set up Gielinck for a decisive back-post goal. Blinn’s four assists in the match pushed the team’s season total to 16, leading NJCAA Division I. The Buccaneers also lead the nation with 34 total points (two per goal, one per assist).
Western Texas outshot Blinn 13-9, with both teams recording six corner kicks. LeMaster made eight saves in total, including five in the second half, earning his ninth career shutout at Blinn and improving to 2-0 this season.
The Buccaneers now turn their attention to a major early-season test against fifth-ranked Tyler Junior College. The match is set for Thursday, August 28, at 4:30 p.m. at Rankin Field in Brenham, Texas. Blinn College has a long tradition of athletic success, competing since 1903 and earning 53 national championships since 1987.
