COMMERCE, Texas – Fresh off a 4-0 victory against Lubbock Christian on Tuesday, the Lion soccer program heads to San Antonio on Saturday to take on St. Mary's in what is almost certain to be a close match. The Lions enter play at 4-1-0 for the year, while the Rattlers stand at 2-2-0.
 
Quotable
- "We've been playing St. Mary's for years, and it's always a battle. We've never had an easy game against them, win or lose. We haven't been to San Antonio for quite a while, but they have a nice, big field. We hope to take advantage of our opportunities." – Lion head coach Neil Piper
 
About the Lions
- The Lions have delivered three shutouts through their first five games this season, most in the Lone Star Conference.
- A&M-Commerce has outscored opponents 17-2 to this point in the year.
- Vicky Back has scored six goals in her last three games and is the leading Lion scorer entering Saturday's contest.
- Julia Hernandez scored her first and goals of the season against Lubbock Christian on Tuesday, her first career multi-goal game.
- The Lions are 3-0-0 this season on their home field but are 1-1-0 in road contests. They have allowed one goal and scored one goal on the road but have outscored opponents 16-1 since the season-opening road trip to Colorado.
- In the team's four wins this season, the Lions have outshot opponents 72-35, including a 41-13 mark on frame.
- Set pieces continue to be an integral part of the Lion attack, as they have averaged just under seven corners per game.
- The Lions currently rank 1st in the Lone Star Conference in shots (80), points (47), goals (17), assists (13), goals allowed (2), shutouts (3), and corner kicks (29).
- Neil Piper is in his 18th season as the Lions' head coach, tallying a record of 202-112-30 in that time.
 
Lion Leaders
- Shots – Jade Bell, 22
- Goals – Vicky Back, 6
- Points – Vicky Back, 14
- Assists – Jade Bell, 5
- Saves – Courtnie Northern, 22
 
The Series
- The Lions have the all-time series advantage with a 5-2-2 record. The most recent meeting between the two teams came in September 2014, when A&M-Commerce defeated St. Mary's 2-0 at Lion Soccer Field. The Lions have not traveled to San Antonio since 2007, when the Rattlers came away as 2-1 victors.
- The two head coaches of this series combine for 31 seasons and 328 wins at their current schools.
- On Tuesday, each team wrapped up a series of three games in within a five-day period, going a combined 5-1-0 in that span.
 
About the Rattlers
- The Rattlers are fresh off a 3-2 loss against Angelo State, who the Lions see on September 25 in the Lone Star Conference opener.
- St. Mary's is 0-2-0 this season at Sigma Beta Chi Field.
- The matchup with the Lions will be the third of nine straight games against teams from Texas.
- Seven different Rattlers have already scored a goal, one more than the Lions so far.
- The Rattlers have yet to play an overtime game in 2015.
- St. Mary's claims a balanced offense, as 23 of their shots have come in the first half and 24 have come in the second.
- Kristal Williams has taken six shots this year, all on goal.
- In 2014, St. Mary's qualified for the Heartland Conference Tournament for the fourth straight year.
- Corwyn Ritch is in his 15th season as the Rattlers' head coach, tallying a record of 126-123-20 in that time.
 
Rattler Leaders
- Shots – Brittney Lacek, 8
- Goals – Kristal Williams/Rachel Gurinsky, 2
- Points – Kristal Williams/Rachel Gurinsky, 4
- Assists – Brittney Lacek, 2
- Saves – Alyssa Taramona, 15
 
Fans can follow all the action from the 2015-16 season on www.LionAthletics.com, through twitter @Lion_Athletics and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LionsAthletics.