COMMERCE– The Texas A&M University-Commerce soccer team will host conference rival Midwestern State on Sunday.
 
WHO: Texas A&M-Commerce (5-1-2, 2-1-0 LSC) vs. Midwestern State (6-2-0, 2-1-0 LSC)
WHERE: The Lion Soccer Field in Commerce, Texas
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 1 at 1 p.m.
LIVE STATS: Click HERE
LIVE VIDEO: lionathletics.com/live
TICKETS: Click HERE
 
The Lions are coming off of a 3-2 win over Texas Woman's on Wednesday. The Lions fell behind 1-0 at halftime but regrouped to score three consecutive goals to win the game. Head coach Neil Piper was pleased how his team rebounded after halftime.
 
"That first half was not very good," he said. "I'm not quite sure how else to say it. Texas Woman's had something to do with that as well, but our players just weren't ready for the game. We had a little chat at halftime and we made a couple of adjustments tactically and obviously in the second half we played much better."
 
The Lions had another goal from freshman Leslie Campuzano, who also had an assist in the match. Campuzano now has three goals in the Lions' last three contests. Piper is pleased with the way his freshmen have developed so far. He also praised the play of midfielder Katie Givens.
 
"We are halfway through the season now. They are not freshman anymore," Piper said. "Those two in particular have really stepped up and done well, especially Katie in the middle. Her and Michelle [Kotlik] are pretty good at winning balls in the middle. And Campuzano, she is a tricky forward. We've moved her around on the field and she is starting to get more comfortable."
 
The Lions will now face Midwestern State. The teams met four times during the 2016 season, including twice in the postseason. The Lions won three of the four matches, all 1-0 contests. They also played to a 1-1 tie in the Lone Star Conference postseason tournament, with the Mustangs winning in penalty kicks.
 
"Midwestern is always good," Piper said. 'They have a great front line. They have an even better midfield. And the defense is not bad either. It is going to be a tough one. It is a game we need. We are looking forward to it.
 
Piper knows the Lions will have their hands full to come out with a win on Sunday. However, he is confident his team will be able to come out on top if they play the way he knows they can.
 
"It is contrasting styles," he said. "I think we respect them a little bit more than they respect us. So hopefully they take us for granted. We just have to do what we do and we will be fine."
 
Tickets for Sunday's match are available at WeAreLionsTix.com or by purchase at the gate of the Lion Soccer Field.