COMMERCE– The Texas A&M University-Commerce soccer team will play its final two home matches of the regular season this weekend. The Lions host West Texas A&M at 7 p.m. on Friday and Eastern New Mexico on Sunday at noon.
 
West Texas A&M
WHO: Texas A&M-Commerce (5-2-2, 2-2-0 LSC) vs. Dallas Baptist (7-2-1, 5-1-1 HC)
WHERE: The Lion Soccer Field in Commerce, Texas
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m.
LIVE STATS: Click HERE
LIVE VIDEO: lionathletics.com/live
TICKETS: Click HERE
 
Eastern New Mexico
WHO: Texas A&M-Commerce vs. Eastern New Mexico (7-2-1, 5-1-1 HC)
WHERE: The Lion Soccer Field in Commerce, Texas
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 22 at noon
LIVE STATS: Click HERE
LIVE VIDEO: lionathletics.com/live
TICKETS: Click HERE
 
The Lions are coming off a 0-1-1 weekend on the road. They tied Texas Woman's 1-1 on Wednesday before falling to Midwestern State 0-1 on Friday. Head coach Neil Piper knew the matches would challenging and they turned out to be exactly that.
 
"The Texas Woman's game, that was a tough game," Piper said. "It is always tough between us in our rivalry. We probably got a fair result. Friday was a little more frustrating. We created many chances and just couldn't score. The name of the game is scoring goals and we just couldn't do it. We got what we deserved. So it has put us in a tough spot."
 
The Lions look to bounce back against West Texas A&M. The Lady Buffs are one spot ahead of the Lions in the conference standings. A win would move the Lions into third place with three more points. The Lady Buffs defeated the Lions in their previous matchup this year, with a 2-1 result in Canyon.
 
"I thought we played pretty well at their place," Piper said. "It was kind of similar to the Midwestern game. We got the lead and had many chances to put two or three on them but we just couldn't. Then they executed and scored a couple of nice goals. I think we have a good chance. We've just got to play hard and find some ways to score some goals."
 
The Lions will then face Eastern New Mexico on Sunday. The match will be part of Senior Day at the field. Reflecting on the impact of seniors Raven Porter and Sophie Haywood, Piper praised each for their influences on the team this season.
 
"Raven has been very good off the field," he said. "She has led us that way. She does a lot of community service and leads by example off the field. She has been a big contributor to our program in her time here. Then Sophie, obviously being a transfer, she has really added a lot to us up front. Her work ethic and her work rate and professionalism have really led this team on the field. It is kind of a good combination of the both."
 
The Lions are looking to improve both their conference standing and their regional standing with good showings this weekend. The Lions are ranked fourth in the LSC and sixth in the recently released NCAA Division South Central Region rankings. Piper is confident his team can improve its standing, as long as they take care of their own business. He knows a lot can happen in two weeks of play.
 
"I think, maybe outside of the top two teams, I don't think anyone else is feeling safe right now," he said. "Everyone's goal is to win out and that is certainly our goal. I think it is something that we can do but we've just got to take it one game at a time and keep winning and hope we can move up."
 
Tickets for the matches are available at WeAreLionsTix.com, by calling (903) 468-8756, by visiting the Lion Sales & Service Box Office in the Field House, or by purchase at the gate at the Lion Soccer Field.