COMMERCE– The Texas A&M University-Commerce soccer team fell 2-1 to Emporia State in overtime on a sweltering hot Sunday afternoon. The Lions scored early in the first half but gave up a goal in the second half and in overtime to suffer their first defeat of the season.
 
The loss brings the Lions to 2-1-1 on the season, while the Hornets improve to 3-1-0 on the year.
 
The Lions return to action on Saturday with a road match against East Central. The match will be played at 1 p.m. at Tiger Field in Ada, Okla. The Lions will return home for their conference opener on Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. against Lubbock Christian.
 
HEAD COACH NEIL PIPER AFTER THE GAME
- On his team's play: "It was hot and we played hard. We just did not play very smart, and it got us in the end. It was a fair result, and we got what we deserved today. We rode some luck and it just ran out there in the end."
- Thoughts on the result: "I felt like we went forward OK. We created some chances. But they play like us. That's what makes it frustrating. We got beat at our own game today. But luckily this is not a regional game. This game is still important but not as important as a regional game. Hopefully we learn from it. We just got beat at our own game today, that's what makes it sting that much worse."
- On the team's six-day break from play: "That East Central match will be a big one. We will get a little bit of rest, then we will get back after it. We have a lot to correct before then. Hopefully we can do it."
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Jocelyn McDonough (McKinney - Boyd) scored her goal in the 15th minute. After a shot was saved off of a corner kick attack, McDonough found the ball on the rebound and put it into the net.
- The Lions put nine shots on goal in the match, including eight different players with shots on goal. The Lions had six shots on goal in the second half.
- Cora Welch (Plano – Plano Senior) had two shots on goal. Amber Crews (Lewisville), Kasey Sorbers (Rowlett - Sachse), Leslie Campuzano (Garland – Lakeview Centennial), Skylar Sorrell (Monroe, La.), Rylie Robertson (Rockwall), and Naomi Sink (Plano – Plano East Senior) all had one shot on goal.
- Jen Peters (Allen) made six saves in the match, including three in the overtime period.
- Shots were even by both teams headed into the overtime period. ESU had five shots in the overtime while the Lions were held without a shot in the extra period.
- Mackenzie Dimarco scored both goals for ESU.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Lions attacked early, with a shot on goal from Sink in the seventh minute of the match. ESU countered with a shot on goal of their own in the ninth minute, which was saved by Peters. ESU also had a shot go off the post early on.
 
The Lions capitalized in the 15th minute. After Crews got a shot on goal off of a corner kick, the ESU goalkeeper dove to make the save. The rebound fell at the feet of McDonough, who found the back of the net, giving the Lions a 1-0 lead.
 
The teams continued to battle until the half, neither side having many chances at shots. Peters made a save in the 41st minute to send the Lions into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
 
The Lions got a chance early in the second half, as Robertson had a shot that was saved. The Lions again had shots on goal in the 58th minute from Sorbers and the 59th minute from Sorrell, but could not sneak them past the keeper.
 
ESU tied the match in the 62nd minute, as Dimarco found some space and fired a shot from 20 yards away that just got by the Lion defense.
 
Welch had two shots on goal late in the half but the game would go into overtime.
 
ESU controlled the ball often in the overtime period, firing five shots while holding the Lions at bay without a shot. Peters made three saves in the period but a final attempt by Dimarco just found its way past the Lion defense and into the net, ending the game.