A&M-COMMERCE RELEASES 2012 LION SOCCER SCHEDULE
2012 A&M-Commerce Soccer Schedule
COMMERCE, Texas – A&M-Commerce has announced its 2012 soccer schedule as the Lions will face a challenging slate that includes four NCAA tournament teams from 2011 as well as eight home matches at Lion Soccer Field.
"We play some very tough non-conference opponents, but we're looking forward to the challenge," said head coach Neil Piper. "Hopefully it will prepare us for a grueling conference schedule. Our goal is to always play the strongest teams possible. I believe this team can compete with anybody."
A&M-Commerce opens up the 2012 campaign at home facing Ouachita Baptist at Lion Soccer Field on Thursday, August 30 with a 7:30 p.m. start. The Lions then embark on a grueling five-game road trip, which starts with a pair of matches against Fort Lewis and Dallas Baptist, both of which qualified for the NCAA tournament in 2011.
The Lions close out the non-conference portion of its schedule at Harding on September 7 before opening up Lone Star Conference play at West Texas A&M on Friday, September 14, followed by a meeting with Eastern New Mexico in Portales on September 16.
Following the grueling five-game road swing, A&M-Commerce is rewarded with a five-match homestand,beginning with Angelo State (September 21) and Incarnate Word (September 23). The Lions then face what could prove to be a pivotal weekend at the end of September, facing Midwestern State on the 28th and reigning LSC champion Abilene Christian on the 30th.
October opens with the final match of the home tilt for the Lions as A&M-Commerce will host Texas Woman's on October 3rd before beginning the second half of the Lone Star Conference season. The Lions begin the second half in San Antonio facing Incarnate Word on October 5 before making the trip to San Angelo to face the Rambelles on October 7.
The final home matches of the season will take place October 12 and 14 as the Lions play host to Eastern New Mexico and West Texas A&M. A&M-Commerce then faces what could be a crucial final three games, playing at Abilene Christian (October 19), at Midwestern State (October 21) and at Texas Woman's (October 27) to close out the 2012 regular season.
Coach Piper will have a good portion of his 2011 team intact this fall, including All-LSC first team selection Brionna Minde and LSC Freshman of the Year Jade Bell. Youth will be the theme of the 2012 Lions from the first day of fall practices as A&M-Commerce will not have any seniors and will have to fill some key positions from last season's LSC semifinal team.
