MELBOURNE, Fla. – A Texas A&M University-Commerce goal just before halftime broke open a tied match and the Lions scored three unanswered goals to take a 4-1 win over No. 15 Tampa in the Marriott Doubletree Panther Invitational at Florida Tech on Sunday morning.
 
With the win, the Lions are now 1-1 on the season, while Tampa falls to 0-2. A&M-Commerce is next in action on Friday at Central Oklahoma. The home opener is on Sunday, September 11, at 1 p.m. against St. Edward's. That match will be the first of four consecutive home matches.
 
The Lions were out-shot by the Spartans, but Tampa's shots from the run of play were all unsuccessful. Caitlin Duty was only required to make two first half saves and eight Tampa shots were off target.
 
A&M-Commerce scored first on a penalty kick goal in the 15th minute by Savannah Grasser. The goal is the senior's 33rd career goal, placing her in sole possession of third place in the school records.
 
Tampa evened up the score in the 26th minute on a penalty kick by Nastasia Asgedeom.
 
The Lions took the lead for good in the 45th minute when a header by freshman Kasey Sorbers trickled past the Tampa goalkeeper with 34 seconds left in the first half.
 
Lone Star Conference preseason defensive player of the year Vicky Back scored her first goal of the season and 22nd goal of her career in the 52nd minute to extend the Lions' lead.
 
The result was sealed in the 62nd minute when Ashley Phillips headed in a goal off a corner kick by Michelle Kotlik to make it 4-1.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Three field players played the full 90 minutes for the Lions: Grasser, Jazsmin Coronado and Megan Paul.
- Duty made two saves in the first half and all seven of Tampa's shots in the second half were off target.
- Tampa took six corner kicks in the first half, but only one in the second. A&M-Commerce had three second half corners.