COMMERCE, TEXAS – The Lions Soccer team is set to kick off the weekend with the beginning of Lone Star Conference (LSC) play, as the Lions (5-2-0) are slated to host the Eastern New Mexico Zias (3-3-0) this Friday night.
 
The Zias, who are coming off a rough 2013 campaign in which they went 4-8-5 and finished last in the LSC, look to be back on track in 2014. They are currently sitting at .500 with a 3-3 record, and have strung together a two-game winning-streak, beating Southern Nazarene University 1-0 and Texas A&M International University 4-2. A&M-Commerce meanwhile has won three of their last four, beating No. 2 University of West Florida (2-0), Dallas Baptist (2-1, 2OT) and Ouachita Baptist (4-0) during that span.
 
The Lions will have a unique scouting advantage heading into Friday's contest. Junior defender Haley VanSchaick is a transfer from Eastern New Mexico, where she spent two years learning the ENMU system.
 
"Everything we did was so different than how Neil (Piper) has us do it," said VanSchaick, who logged twelve games played with the Zias in 2013, "They were more focused on swinging the ball around for lots of passes. Our system here is nothing like that."
 
The Zias are led in scoring by senior Victoria Perez, who has converted every one of her three shots on goal into goals. According to VanSchaick, she's not the only player to watch.
 
"Renee (Romero) is really good for them on defense. She doesn't make a lot of mistakes, "said VanSchaick, "And Maurisa (Jones) is dangerous up top. She's really fast and can make people pay."
 
Eastern New Mexico has struggled in 2014 to find reliable production in goal. Keepers Alyxandra Ortiz and Fabienne Wilson have combined for 20 saves while allowing 11 goals between the two of them, which rounds out to a combined save percentage of .645. That's a far cry from the success of their A&M-Commerce counterpart Courtnie Northern, who's piled up a whopping 44 saves while only allowing five goals on the season for a save percentage of .898.
 
Historically, the Lions and Zias have played one another 15 times dating back to 2003. The Lions hold the commanding edge in the series 12-2-1, and have won the last three meetings dating back to 2012.
 
The game is scheduled for Friday, September 26 at 7:00 p.m. For VanSchaick, the chance to see her old team can't come soon enough.
 
"I'm a little anxious, but I'm really excited," said VanSchaick, "It'll be a weird feeling. But I know once that game starts, everything will calm down and it'll be like normal. I can't wait."
 
Tickets are available at the gate on game day. Fans 13 and older may come in for $5. For children 12 and under as well as students with a current ID, admission is free.