COMMERCE, TEXAS – A&M-Commerce soccer (7-4-0) got back to its winning ways last weekend in Wichita Falls, and looks to keep things going on Thursday when they host the Texas Woman's University Pioneers (7-3-1, 1-2-1 in conference).
 
If the Pioneers never won another game in 2014, it would still be an improvement compared to last year's 5-11-2 campaign, which saw TWU finish fifth in the Lone Star Conference. Their success is thanks in part to a new-look roster. Of the 18 players in 2013 who appeared in 10 games or more for head coach Babak Abouzar, only 11 have returned in 2014.
 
To replace those who've departed, TWU has enjoyed the services of eight new players who've contributed significant playing time, none more important perhaps than sophomore forward Natalia Diaz, a transfer from Navarro Junior College, who has put up an LSC-leading 23 points (9G, 5A) on the season. To put the gravity of this as it pertains to TWU into perspective, the highest Pioneer point total for all of 2013 was Alisa Velasquez's 11 (4G, 3A), a sum which Diaz has already more than doubled with seven games left to go.
 
Aiding Diaz on the offensive end is fellow newcomer, sophomore forward Nancy Chavez (4G, 4A), who comes to the Pioneers after transferring from Hardin-Simmons. Also offering significant production is sophomore forward Gabrielle Larson (6G), who is in her second year with the Pioneers. They will have to do their best to counter-act the Lions' Savannah Henderson (10G, 2A) who leads the LSC in goals, as well as junior forward Jade Bell (4G, 5A), who is the co-leader along with Diaz for the LSC assists category.
 
The Pioneers have outshot opponents 192-109 and have outscored opponents 29-8 on the season. However, four blowout victories against sub-.500 opponents help account for the goals being so lopsided: a 4-0 win against Harding (3-8-0), a 6-0 win against Ouachita Baptist (2-8-1), a 5-0 road win against Rogers State (0-11-0), and a 4-0 win against Oklahoma Christian (0-10-1).
 
In goal, sophomore Ariana Morrison has made the most of her first year as a full-time starter. She's had a hand in five shutouts in 2014 (two solo, three shared), making 40 saves while giving up 8 goals for a save percentage of .833. She's had a relatively relaxed year compared with her counterpart on the Lions, junior Courtnie Northern, who's seen nearly double Morrison's shot total. Northern has earned three shutouts, stopping 71 shots on goal for a save percentage of .888. Having played every minute of the Lions' 2014 season, she currently ranks fourth in the nation in minutes played (1024:45). A&M-Commerce will also hope to see the return of forward Vicky Back and defender Sydney Lawthers to full service, as the two saw only limited action during last weekend's games.
 
Historically, the Lions dominate the all-time series with TWU, holding a 11-2-5 record against the Pioneers. The last time Texas Woman's was able to prevail in commerce was almost seven years ago to the day, when the Pioneers beat the Lions 2-1 on October 10, 2007. Since then, the Lions have gone 6-1-4 in the series.
 
The game is set to begin Thursday, October 9 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets will be available at the gate for $5 a piece for visitors 13 and over. For children 12 and under as well as students with a current ID, admission will be free of charge.