A&M-Commerce 2, Eastern New Mexico 1
Location: ENMU Soccer Field – Portales, N.M.
Records: A&M-Commerce (5-1, 1-0 LSC); Eastern New Mexico (2-4-1, 0-1 LSC)
Up Next: at West Texas A&M – Canyon, Texas – Sunday September 29th – 12 p.m.
PORTALES, N.M. – Savannah Henderson netted both goals for the Lions including the game winner just 13 seconds into the second overtime period to give the Lions a 2-1 win over the Zias. The Lions have now won five straight for the first time since 2008 and off to their best start since starting '08 at 7-1-1.
In the first fifteen minutes of play in the first half the Lions were able to get three corners but were unable to get a shot off any of those opportunities. The Lions were only able to break through the Zia defense to get two shots off in the first 45 minutes. Savannah Henderson had one in the 11th minute, which that led to a corner for A&M-Commerce, and Julia Hernandez registered one in the 28th minute off a corner kick.
The Lion defense of Laura Heron, Vicky Back, Catie Hyde and Sydney Lawthers matched the performance of the Zia defense in the first half. The Zia offense was only able to get one shot and none on goalkeeper, Callie Ballard, in the first half. The defense limited the chances off the three corners for the Zias as well.
Both teams had chances in the opening minutes of the second half but Carolyn Armijo got the Zias on the board first in the 61st minute off a free kick. Less than two minutes later Henderson got her first of the game and third of the season off a give and go through the middle with Brionna Minde. The Lions had chances from Hederson and Huston to take the lead in regulation but none found the back of the net.
Anitra Wright missed a shot wide left in the 95th minute then Huston had back-to-back chances but was wide right on one and saved on another. The Lions had a corner that led to a shot by Julia Hernandez but Fabienne Wilson turned that one away.
Just 13 seconds into the second overtime Henderson got on the receiving end of a give go from Minde and dribbled through the defense to give the Lions the road win. The goal was Henderson's fourth of the season. The win was the first since 2010 for the Lions in Portales.
Coach Neil Piper postgame, "it was a hard fought game. We stepped it up to another gear after they scored and we hung in there defensively."
A&M-Commerce continues their western trip with a match against the reigning Lone Star Conference Champions, West Texas A&M, on Sunday at 12 noon in Canyon, Texas.
After the trip west the Lions return home to host the Rambelles of Angelo State on Friday October 4 at 7p.m. at Lion Soccer Field. Be sure to stay up to date on all thing Lion Soccer and A&M-Commerce online at Lionathletics.com, on Twitter @Lion_Athletics and on Facebook.com/A&M-Commerce Lion Athletics, Texas A&M-Commerce Soccer Team.
