COMMERCE, TEXAS – The Lions soccer team (4-1-0) is finally home after ten days on the road, and they now prepare for yet another tough test against the No. 18 ranked team in the nation, the St. Edward's University Hilltoppers (3-1-0).
 
SEU and A&M-Commerce have a long history of back-and forth games dating back to 2000. The Lions hold a narrow 6-5-1 all-time advantage, although the Hilltoppers have won the last three outings. The last time they saw one another was last year in the NCAA Tournament, when SEU eliminated the Lions 1-0. This time, coach Neil Piper and his team will be looking to exact revenge.
 
Thus far in 2014, the Hilltoppers have amassed some rather impressive statistics through four games. They have outscored opponents 9-1, and every one of their wins have come via shutouts. Their lone goal allowed came in their only loss of the season, where they lost to the No. 12 ranked Colorado School of Mines Orediggers 1-0. Since then, the Orediggers have climbed up to No. 7 in the country.
 
The Hilltoppers have relied on the services of sophomore keeper Lorrie Santoy in net, though she hasn't yet been significantly tested. Despite her impressive three shutouts on the season, through four games, she's only faced eight shots on goal. That is a stark contrast to her counterpart on the Lions, junior Courtnie Northern, who has faced a whopping 41 shots on goal so far, stopping 37 of them.
 
Offensively, St. Edward's has found the majority of its success from three players, senior forwards Riana Soobadoo (3G) and Callyn Trapani (2G), as well as freshman midfielder Whytneigh Duffie (2G). The three of them have combined for seven of St. Edward's nine goals on the season, though none of them have the numbers of the Lions' top two forwards Savannah Henderson (4G, 1A) and Jade Bell (3G, 1A).
 
The game is scheduled for Friday, September 19 at 7:00 p.m. at Lions Soccer Field. Tickets are $5, though admission is free for children under 13 and A&M-Commerce students and staff with a current ID.