LIONS 2011-2012 WOMEN'S SOCCER SEASON RECAP
Lion's Season Closed Out:
A&M-Commerce ends their season with a 8-9-2 record barely falling under .500 for only the second time in Coach Piper's 14 year career. A&M-Commerce worked their way past the LSC Conference Championship Quarter Finals with an extremely young team, but falling in the LSC Conference Championship Semi-Finals, to the undefeated Wildcats of Abilene Christian 2-0. The Lions have a strong core of young players but will have a tough time replacing the four senior leaders of the team.
The primary scorers Brionna Minde and Jade Bell will be returning with more experience under their belts, and key set up mid fielder's Samantha Huston and Cadie Annett will be returning, as well, to provide the Lion's offense with that necessary spark. The senior leadership will be missed with the vocal leadership of both Captains Devon Herman and Jordan McCarty. The defense will remain solid with Junior defender Eva Brutto stepping up her leadership role this season, and freshman Callie Annett has become an immediate threat to offenses on the field.
The Lions will have to attempt to fill the role of the enforcer being left open by Evan Stanberry. Stanberry was a key component for the defense providing direction, leadership, and amazing play for the Lions. A&M-Commerce will have to find a replacement at Goal Keeper with Randi Hafele, who is finally stepping out of the goal after 2 full seasons. Hafele has been a driving force behind the Lions success snagging a total of 224 saves over the last 4 years. Tracey Rogers was the backup goalkeeper this season but did not see any playing time due to a season ending injury.
A&M-Commerce has a solid core of freshman since almost every player saw some amount of playing time this season for the Lions. Freshman forward Stephanie Neely is an upcoming freshman who played in 9 games for the Lions and scored a big game goal against Eastern New Mexico (Sep. 19), which ultimately led to a tie. Freshman defender Shelbie Barry showed some skills this season earning the starting spot in two games. Freshman defender Kamille Johnson got minimal playing time for the Lions. Johnson was working her way into the deep talented defender position and racked up 8 total minutes.
Lions Farewell to the Seniors:
#2 - Evan Stanberry's Career Statistics
Stanberry is the Lion's senior anchor for the defense, who played a total of 73 games for the Lions. Stanberry knocked down her first career goal in a big win over Dallas Baptist back on Sep. 13, and provided her second career goal against Texas Woman's University leading the Lions to their second tie of the season. Stanberry added 1 assist in her career notching a total a 5 career points. Stanberry took 44 shots in her career and had 24 shots on goals in her career with the Lions.
Evan Stanberry LSC Awards:
2008: Second Team All-LSC
2008: Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Week
2009: Second Team All-LSC
2010: Second Team All-LSC
Games Played: 74
Goals: 2
Assists: 1
Points: 5
Shots: 44
Shots on Goal: 24
#8 - Jordan McCarty's Career Statistics
McCarty was voted the team Captain for the Lions because of her consistent play and dominating performance on the field. McCarty suffered an injury before the start of the season, allowing her to only play 14 games for Lions in her final season. McCarty still earned "Co-Offensive Player of the Week" back on Nov. 2nd, and got named to the "Capital One Academic All-District Team". McCarty had many notable games, but playing against Texas Woman's University resulted in a massive break out for McCarty. She scored the game winning goal on senior night, and provided the game tying assist for the Lions in the last 8 minutes of the game.
McCarty LSC Awards:
2011: First Team All-LSC
2011:Lone Star ConferenceCo-Offensive Player of the Week
2011: Capital One Academic All-District Team
Games Played: 62
Goals: 9
Assists: 6
Points: 24
Shots: 70
Shots on Goal: 40
#10 - Devon Herrman's Career Statistics
Herrman earned the right to be the Lion's team Captain, after dominating her 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons with A&M-Commerce after transferring from Southern Methodist University. Herrman notched a goal right off the bat in the season opener (Sep. 3rd) against Northwest Missouri State, and gave Jade Bell an assist for her first goal as a Lion in the season opener. Herrman would have another big game for the Lions notching a goal and an assist in a 5-1 win over Angelo State on (Oct. 7). Herrman had her biggest game for the Lions when she knocked down the final penalty kick in a shoot out too defeat Angelo State for the third time in the 2011-12 season, and launching the Lions into the Semi-Finals to face Abilene Christian.
Herrman LSC Awards:
2009: First Team All-LSC
2009: Lone Star Conference Play of the Week
2009: Daktronics Second Team All-Region
2010: Second Team All-LSC
2011: Second Team All-LSC
2011: Capital One Academic All-District Team
Games Played: 57
Goals: 14
Assists: 8
Points: 40
Shots: 141
Shots on Goal: 90
#1 - Randi Hafele's Career Statistics
Hafele returned in the goal for the Lions to continue making the Lions competitive week in and week out. Hafele has been a driving force behind the Lions success snagging a total of 224 saves over the last 4 years. Hafele played the most minutes of her career in her senior season with the Lions racking up 1872:27 minutes. Hafele posted a career high in saves by snatching a total of 101 saves for the Lions. Making 101 saves moves her to number 5 on the All-Time Most Saves in a single season list. Hafele still currently holds the number 6 spot as well, with 85 saves in a single season back in 2010. Hafele notched 3 shut outs for the Lions winning her the LSC Conference Player of the Week in 2011. Hafele started every game for the Lion, and played every minute of her senior season for A&M-Commerce.
Hafele LSC Awards:
2009: ADA Academic Achievement Award presented by WeatherPORT
2010: Honorable Mention All-LSC
2011: LSC Conference Player of the Week
2011: Capital One Academic All-District Team
Games Played: 49
Minutes Played: 3368:61
Saves: 223
Overall Record: 21-15-7
Shut outs: 13
Highlight wins for Lions:
Lion Action Highlight Tape
4-3 OT - Northwestern Missouri State (Sep. 3): The Lions had massive success during the season opener, starting off with a big win over non-conference Northwest Missouri State. Freshman Samantha Huston scored her first collegiate goal for the Lions in the 38th minute of the game to tie the game 1-1. Jade Bell would chip in scoring her first collegiate goal in the 51st minute of the game giving the Lions a 2-1 lead. Devon Herrman helped the Lions take a 3-1 lead with a goal at the 54th minute. The Lions would ultimately end the regulation with a tie, but in overtime Jade Bell would strike against dropping a game winner 2 minutes into overtime off Cadie Annett's first collegiate assist.
1-0 - Dallas Baptist University (Sep. 13) : After a tough 1-0 loss to #4 in the nation St. Edwards, the Lions would welcome Dallas Baptist who had just won over #8 in the nation Central Missouri. A&M-Commerce would defeat Dallas Baptist off of Evan Stanberry's first career goal. The Lion defense would go out and keep the Dallas Baptist offense at bay all evening. The shots on goal that the Patriots shot would lead to Randi Hafele's first shutout. Hafele proved to be formidable in goal as always notching 7 saves for the Lions.
3-2 - West Texas A&M (Sep. 16): West Texas A&M was the conference opener for the Lions. Brionna Minde had her first big game of the season for Lions by scoring 2 goals on her birthday. Minde's first goal came in the 26th minute of the game. Jade Bell followed by dropping her 3rd goal of the season in the 48th minute. Minde would seal the game in the 66th minute scoring the game winner. Randi Hafele bailed the Lions out by making big stop after big stop for the Lions. Hafele had a career night recording 10 saves leading the Lions to their first conference win and putting the Lions at 3-2.
3-2 - Angelo State (Sep. 23): A&M-Commerce would take to the road to take on rival Angelo State, after the Lions suffered their first tie of the season against the Zias of Eastern New Mexico. Cadie Annett would strike first for the Lions scoring her first collegiate goal with the Lions. Jade Bell would then score twice off of two Brionna Minde assists, to lead the Lions to a 3-2 victory over the Rambelles of Angelo State. Randi Hafele was fending off Angelo State shots all night notching 6 saves to attain the victory for the Lions.
5-1 - Angelo State (Oct. 7): After a tough road trip going 0-3-1, the Lions would recover in style dropping a season high of 5 goals on the Rambelles. The momentum of the game changed after Brionna Minde got off to a fast start dropping two goals, which would lead to the senior captains Devon Herrman and Jordan McCarty scoring the game sealing goals against the Rambelles. Minde wouldn't stop there; she went on to obtain a hat trick by scoring her final goal in the 63rd minute. The Lions in total for the game had 5 goals and 5 assists.
3-0 - Incarnate Word (Oct. 9): The Lions previously lost to the Cardinals earlier in the season (0-3) at Incarnate Word. The Lions would return the favor and light the Cardinals up for 3 goals, and Randi Hafele would shut out the Cardinals for her 3rd shutout for the Lions this season. Jade Bell would strike first scoring her 6th goal of the season. Brionna Minde would later collide with the Cardinals goal keeper forcing her out of the game, leading to two more Lion goals and a big 3-0 win. Randi Hafele would only be challenged three times in the game, but she would convert all shots on goal to saves and nabbing her second shutout.
3-0 - West Texas A&M (Oct. 14): Randi Hafele would highlight the game by getting back to back shut outs. Hafele would help out the Lions by grabbing 4 saves for the Lions. The offense would stay alive dropping another 3 goals on West Texas A&M. Brionna Minde would dominate for the third game in a row contributing 1 goal and 2 assists. Jordan McCarty and Jade Bell chipped in each scoring a goal, sealing the sweep of West Texas this season.
2-1 - Texas Women's (Oct. 28): The Pioneers put the pressure on the Lions by scoring a goal in the first 23 minutes of the game off a free kick. The Lions would continue to keep the pressure on the Pioneers by out shooting them 7-1 in the first period. The Lions would then erupt in the last 10 minutes of the game by first, Brionna Minde scoring with 8 minutes left in the game tying the match. Senior Captain Jordan McCarty would then seal the game by drilling the game winner in the final 5 minutes of the game.
1-1 (Shoot out W) Angelo State (Nov. 3): The Lions came into the LSC Championship Quarter finals off a hot victory over Texas Women's University, having the opportunity to play against a team they have dominated all season Angelo State. The Lions fell down 0-1, but tied the game in the second period off a goal from Cadie Annett in the 48th minute of a Brionna Minde assist. This would send the Lions into overtime. Neither team would give up a goal in either overtime sending the game to an epic shoot out. Randi Hafele had 2 big stops for the Lions in goal to bring the game down to the final Lions penalty kick attempt. The game came down to the final kick of the shoot out, with the senior Captain Devon Herrman getting the chance to take the victory. Herrman would hit a perfect shot right into the center of the net just above the goalies finger tips moving the Lions into the LSC Championship Semi-finals off a 4-3 shoot out victory.
The Breakout Season for Minde
Brioanna Minde had a big break out season for the Lions scoring 10 goals and chipping in with 6 assists both career and team highs. Minde was named First Team All-Conference for the first time in her career. Minde is currently on a 37 game starting streak for the Lions, stemming from her freshman season when she started all 20 games for the Lions. On September 16th, West Texas A&M opened the conference play and Minde stormed the field and exploded on the Lady Buffs and never looked back. Minde dropped two goals on the Lady Buffs including the game winner. Scoring goals was not all Minde did for the Lions; she also had 2 assists, two games later against Angelo State, including the assist to Jade Bell's game winner. The Lions hit a 3 game losing streak, but Minde still contributed by scoring the only 2 goals scored during the stint. After the losing streak, Minde would come up big with her biggest game of the season scoring 3 goals on Angelo State and notching 1 assist. Minde would not stop there, in fact she would score two more goals on the Lions winning streak. This big week earned her the Offensive Player of the week award for the Lone Star Conference. Minde also led the charge against Texas Women's University in a last 10 minute explosion of offensive, originating of the goal she scored in the last 8 minutes of the game. Minde was not only a leader on the field, but she did well off the field, which got her on the Capital One All-District Team. Minde was named to the Lone Star Conference All-Academic team.
Lion's Win Big on Accolades
A&M-Commerce had a successful year on and off the field picking up numerous awards throughout the season.
(Sep. 21) Brionna Minde Wins "LSC Offensive Player of the Week."
(Oct. 12) Brionna Minde Wins "LSC Offensive Player of the Week."
(Oct. 12) Randi Hafele Wins "LSC Conference Player of the Week."
(Nov. 2) Jordan McCarty Wins "LSC Co-Offensive Player of the Week."
(Nov. 2) Jade Bell Wins "LSC Freshman of the Year."
(Nov. 2) Brionna Minde Wins First Team All-LSC.
(Nov. 2) Devon Herrman Win Second Team All-LSC.
(Nov. 7) Randi Hafele named to Capital One Academic All-District Team.
(Nov. 7) Brionna Minde named to Capital One Academic All-District Team.
(Nov. 7) Jordan McCarty named to Capital One Academic All-District Team.
(Nov. 7) Devon Herrman named to Capital One Academic All-District Team.
(Nov. 7) Brionna Minde named to Daktronics Women's Soccer South Central Region Second Team.
Lions Freshman Phenomenon
A&M-Commerce had four particular freshmen who were key components to the Lions success this season. Jade Bell, Cadie Annett, Samantha Huston, and Callie Annett helped the Lions reach success this season in each position.
- Jade Bell who played 19 games for the Lions was a force right out of the gate for Lions dropping 2 goals, including a game winning goal in her first appearance against Northwestern Missouri St. Later, Bell was voted the "LSC Freshman of the Year" with her 7 goals and contributing to the offense with 4 assists in her first year with the Lions. Bell had two multi-goal games and 2 game winners in her first season with the Lions.
- Cadie Annett saw significant action at Mid Fielder for the Lions starting all 20 games in her first season for the Lions. Annett had a solid year scoring 2 goals including a game tying goal in the LSC Conference Championship Tournament against Angelo State (Nov. 3). Annett helped lead the team to success with her 2 goals and 4 assists racking up a grand total of 8 points in her first season.
- Samantha Huston served as the Lions primary set up person for the Lions offense notching the second most assists for the Lions with 5. Huston started a total of 17 games, but saw action in 18 games. Huston hit her first collegiate goal against the first team she ever played for A&M-Commerce, Northwestern Missouri State.
- Callie Annett, like her sister, started in all 20 games for the Lions as a key defender. She helped lead the Lions to 3 shutouts in her first season for the Lions. Annett also fired off 11 shots and 5 shots on goal when she made a switch to Mid Fielder later in the season.
