COMMERCE– The Texas A&M University-Commerce soccer team is set to begin the 2019 season on Thursday.

Game 1 - Westminster
WHO: Texas A&M-Commerce (0-0-0) vs. Westminster (0-0-0)
WHERE: Dumke Field in Salt Lake City, Utah
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 5 at 5 p.m. MT (6 p.m. CT)
LIVE STATS: Click HERE
LIVE VIDEO: Click HERE

Game 2 - Northwestern Oklahoma State
WHO: Texas A&M-Commerce vs. Northwestern Oklahoma State (0-0-0)
WHERE: Alva Recreation Complex in Alva, Okla.
WHEN: Monday, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m.
LIVE STATS: Click HERE

Entering his 21st season as head coach, Neil Piper has assembled a squad that includes a mix of returners with a large group of new student-athletes. With just two and a half weeks from the beginning of training camp, Piper and his staff faced a challenge to prepare the team for the season, but he liked the team's progress.
 
"It is always hard when you have 14 new players," he said. "The first week was just so-so. We worked hard and played a game and looked like we had never played soccer before. But the second week was better and we got a bit more organized. Our second scrimmage looked a lot better."
 
The Lions were able to take a step in the second week of camp and Piper liked the way his team improved in the second week of training camp.
 
"We had a purpose," he said. "We had system and had an idea of what we were doing. We got to play a lot of different people. We still have some injuries in some key areas, but I'm sure everybody does. We just have to find a way to compete."
 
The Lions begin the 2019 campaign by heading to Utah to face Westminster, who the Lions defeated in Commerce in overtime early in the 2018 season. Piper knows it will be a difficult trip for his team, not only because of the altitude, but also because of a talented opponent.
 
"For us, this is as tough as it gets," he said. "It is at altitude. We are playing on turf. There is heat. We are going there with a plan. We are not just there to take a loss. We have an idea of what we need to do and if we execute, we will have a chance to win. Westminster is a good team. We beat them here last year and were fortunate to do it. It was a good game. We are expecting nothing less."
 
The Lions will then head to Oklahoma to face Northwestern Oklahoma State. With two long trips to begin the season on the road, Piper is looking to see what his team can endure. He is also excited to face an opponent he has never faced before.
 
"I put the team in some adverse conditions travel wise," he said. "We are going to Salt Lake City for one game and then driving six hours to Oklahoma for another. I'm trying to put them in situations and see how we deal with it. I've never played against Northwestern Oklahoma. I've been here 21 years. So I'm looking forward to that. They have a new coach who knows what he is doing. They should be pretty good as well."
 
The Lions will return to Commerce for their home-opening match on September 12 against Ouachita Baptist. It will be the first of nine scheduled home matches at the Lion Soccer Field. Season tickets for Lion Soccer home matches can be purchased at WeAreLionsTix.com, by calling (903) 468-8756, or by visiting the Lion Sales & Service Box Office inside the Field House during business hours.