COMMERCE, TEXAS – After seven days with no games, Lions soccer (8-4 overall, 3-2 in conference) is set to begin its second half of LSC competition with a rematch against the Midwestern State University Mustangs (6-2-5 overall, 1-2-2 in conference) in Friday's Pink Out game for breast cancer awareness, sponsored by Lake Pointe Medical Center.
 
The 2014 incarnation of MSU has become synonymous with draws, as they (along with Fort Lewis) currently lead all of Division II in ties with five. The Mustangs took a minor tumble in the latest National Soccer Coaches' Association of America (NSCAA) poll, dropping one spot from No. 6 to No. 7 following their most recent 2-1 loss at West Texas A&M. Conversely, the Lions jumped up a spot from No. 9 to No. 8 after last week's 1-0 victory over Texas Woman's.
 
Under first-year coach Damian Clarke, who comes to MSU following a long stint with the aforementioned Fort Lewis, the Mustangs have achieved a relatively even shot-differential of 197-195, yet have managed to outscore opponents 26-10. Offensively, the primary contributor for Midwestern State has been freshman forward Destinee Williamson, who's amassed 18 points (7G, 4A), good for a share of third overall in the conference. She's gotten help from senior midfielder Katy Catney, who's been the predominant setup artist for the Mustangs with five assists, as well as two goals of her own. It doesn't end with these two, though, as the Mustangs have done an exceedingly good job at spreading the offense around, with a whopping seven other players having earned four points or more on the season. That includes junior midfielder Morgan Hannon, who scored the lone goal against the Lions in their previous match, a penalty kick in the second half to tie things up and send it to overtime.
 
In stark contrast to the spread out production of the Mustangs is the highly concentrated offense of the Lions. The LSC-leader in goals and co-LSC-leader points, sophomore forward Savannah Henderson (10G, 3A) is having a career year, and most recently went off in Wichita Falls for the Lions previous game with MSU. In it, Henderson scored on a free kick opportunity for her ninth of the season, followed by an overtime winner on a pass from Cadie Annett for her conference-leading tenth of the season. Henderson's running mate has been fellow forward Jade Bell (4G, 5A) who, along with the previously mentioned Catney, shares the conference lead for assists.  The 14 goals generated between Henderson and Bell represent 70% of the total scoring for the Lions in 2014. Only two other Lions (Vicky Back and Julia Hernandez) have managed five points on the season.
 
In goal, the Mustangs have relied on the services of breakout redshirt freshman Courtney Burnette, who's amassed six shutouts in 2014 by way of 75 saves and a .882 save percentage. Thanks to a perfect storm of being the only keeper MSU has used all year, coupled with going to overtime so often by virtue of playing on the team that leads the nation in ties, Burnette currently leads all of Division II in minutes played, having notched a whopping 1277 minutes over 13 games played. On the other side of the field, the Lions have exclusively relied on the services of junior keeper Courtnie Northern, the current reigning LSC Defensive Player of the Week. Northern leads the conference in saves with 79, and with four shutouts on the season, has compiled an LSC-leading .898 save percentage. In her last game against Midwestern State, Northern pawed away six saves and helped keep the Lions in it for the eventual overtime win.
 
Though the Lions picked up the previous game this year, MSU has typically been a difficult opponent for A&M-Commerce.  The Mustangs have won seven of the previous ten matchups with the Lions, and hold a historical advantage of 16-10-4 dating back to 1996.
 
The game is scheduled for this Friday, October 17 at 7:00 p.m. In recognition of breast cancer awareness month, tee shirts will be given out to the first 50 students to arrive at the match. In addition, a donation box will be set up for attendees who wish to give to breast cancer research.