SAN ANGELO– The Texas A&M University-Commerce soccer team defeated Angelo State 1-0 on the road on Thursday night. Facing gusting winds and wind chills at near freezing, the Lions were able to net a penalty kick goal in the first half and hold off ASU in the second half to get the win.
 
The win brings the Lions to 7-5-1 on the season and 4-4-0 in the Lone Star Conference. The Rambelles fall to 10-3-1 and 6-2-1 in conference play.
 
The Lions return to the pitch on Saturday as they travel to face St. Edward's on the road. The game will be played at 2:30 p.m. at Lewis-Chen Family Field in Austin.
 
HEAD COACH NEIL PIPER AFTER THE GAME
- On getting the early lead and battling the elements: "It was a great win for our girls. We played really well in the first half with the wind and got the lead."
- On holding off ASU in the second half: "We changed formations and went more defensive in the second half and defended the lead."
- On the play of the defense: "Jen Peters made some great save in goal and the defense played really well throughout."
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Leslie Campuzano (Garland – Lakeview Centennial) scored a penalty kick goal in the 41st minute, her sixth goal of the season, and her first game winning goal. She had two shots on goal.
- Katie Givens (Rockwall) and Myca Crum (Fort Worth - Arlington Heights) also each had a shot on goal.
- Jen Peters (Allen) earned her sixth shutout of the season, saving seven ASU shots on goal.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The teams played strong defense early in the match, as neither team was able to get off a shot for the first seven minutes of the game. ASU had a shot on goal in the eighth minute that was saved by Peter. ASU was aggressive, drawing two offside penalties in the first 13 minutes of the half. Peters made another save in the 14th minute to keep the game scoreless.
 
After getting off two shots that were off the mark, the Lions had their first shot on goal in the 25th minute, as Givens attacked from 20 yards out. The shot was saved. Crum then had a shot on goal in the 30th minute near the cross bar, but a leaping save was just made by the keeper to keep the Lions off the board. Peters saved another shot in the 33rd minute.
 
The Lions got a golden opportunity late in the half. After a corner kick was punched out, Amber Crews (Lewisville) drew a foul inside the penalty area going after the ball and A&M-Commerce was awarded a penalty kick in the 42nd minute. Campuzano took the kick and blasted it into the left side of the net, just past the ASU keeper, giving the Lions a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
 
ASU had three of chances midway through the half. Peters made a pair of diving saves, one in the 66th minute and another in the 68th minute, and again made a save in the 72nd minute, holding off ASU's attack.
 
The Lions then switch sides of the field, attacking as Campuzano had a shot on goal in the 78th minute. The Rambelles again went on the offensive, as Peters made a save in the 80th minute. Another ASU shot was high as they continued to look for the equalizing goal. However, the Lion defense held firm, and A&M-Commerce bled the rest of the clock to get the win.