COMMERCE– The Texas A&M University-Commerce soccer team will begin the 2018 season with two home matches against regional opponents this week. The Lions host Metro State on Thursday and will then host Westminster on Saturday.
 
Metro State
WHO: Texas A&M-Commerce (0-0-0) vs. Metro State (0-0-0)
WHERE: The Lion Soccer Field in Commerce, Texas
WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 30 at 3 p.m.
LIVE STATS: Click HERE
LIVE VIDEO: lionathletics.com/live
TICKETS: Click HERE
 
Westminster
WHO: Texas A&M-Commerce vs. Westminster (0-0-0)
WHERE: The Lion Soccer Field in Commerce, Texas
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
LIVE STATS: Click HERE
LIVE VIDEO: lionathletics.com/live
TICKETS: Click HERE
 
The Lions are coming off of a second-place finish in the Lone Star Conference standings, just narrowly missing the NCAA Tournament. After a long offseason full of recruiting and, more recently, training camp, head coach Neil Piper is glad to be back for his 21st season with the Lions.
 
"We are fortunate to return a lot of starters from last year so we haven't had to learn many new things," Piper said of the offseason. "We have had some injuries, but that has allowed some of the new players to come in and get quite a bit of playing time in the preseason."
 
The Lions return 14 players from last season's team that finished with 12 wins, including a 9-1 record on their home field. Piper is excited to have so many players back. Having a young team a season ago provided a lot of players with game experience that he thinks will pay dividends in the 2018 season.
 
"I think [our returners] understand that they were a little unfortunate last year," he said. "They had some good wins and had a good record. It just wasn't quite good enough to get into the NCAA Tournament. That is our goal this year is to compete and try and get back there. The good news is last year we were young and this year, all of those players know what it takes to win."
 
Piper is also excited to see his seven new players get their opportunities. With some preseason injuries that may hamper the roster early, Piper knows he will need to rely on those players right away.
 
"It is always good to bring in new players and young players," he said. "They always bring something new to the team. I think we have three or four that will be playing a lot right away. I think, because of the injuries that we do have, it is going to be one of those seasons where we might not start out as fast as we usually do. But I think by the end of the season, we will be pretty strong."
 
The Lions will open up the year against Metro State on Thursday, a team the Lions have not faced since the 2006 season. Piper expects a good game from the Roadrunners.
 
"We haven't played Metro in quite a while," he said. "We used to play them in the early 2000's but we haven't played them in a while. It is always fun to play new opponents. They are a good team and have good history."
 
The Lions will then face Westminster, a team the Lions have never faced. Piper said he is always glad to play somebody new, because of the challenge it creates.
 
"Westminster, we have never played against them," he said. "They are a relatively new school to Division II. I think this is their third or fourth season in the RMAC. I always enjoy playing somebody new. When you have been doing this for so long, you like to see new teams. It should be an enjoyable weekend."
 
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. Season tickets are also available for purchase.