COMMERCE – A pair of early second half goals boosted the third-seed Texas A&M University-Commerce soccer team to a 3-0 win over sixth-seed Oklahoma Christian in the opening round of the Lone Star Conference Women's Soccer Championship on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Lions are now 4-2-0 on the season and advance to the LSC quarterfinals against either West Texas A&M or Texas Woman's on Tuesday. Oklahoma Christian's season ends at 1-7-2.
 
HEAD COACH NEIL PIPER AFTER THE MATCH
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- The Lions dominated the possession and quality opportunities throughout the match, outshooting OC 18-2 and allowing no shots on goal. Jen Peters (Allen) earned the shutout in goal. A&M-Commerce also had 13 corner kicks to the Eagles' two.
- Leslie Campuzano (Garland – Lakeview Centennial) scored her fifth goal of the season and passed out an assist.
- Katie Givens (Rockwall) and Skylar Sorrell (Monroe, La.) each had goals as well. Gracie Spradley (Burleson – Centennial) assisted on a goal.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Lions immediately pressured the Eagles out of the gate, forcing two saves in the first five minutes. The match settled down as the Lions missed out on opportunities throughout the scoreless first half, despite earning six corners and holding a 7-1 shot advantage in the half.
 
Out of the halftime break, the Lions quickly won a corner kick in the 46th minute when OC goalkeeper Gabby Goddard saved a great shot by Melissa Storey (Tyne and Wear, England). Campuzano sent the corner in with her left foot, finding an unmarked Givens, who was uncontested as she headed in the match's first goal.
 
Just seconds after the restart, the Lions earned another corner kick. Spradley played it short to Campuzano, who rifled the shot into the back of the net at the far post, giving the Lions the 2-0 lead in the 48th minute.
 
In the 75th minute, Sorrell collected the ball about 40 yards from goal off an OC goal kick, then dribbled through four defenders. She put the result beyond all doubt with a top shelf goal for a 3-0 lead.
 
OC's Goddard made four close range saves over an eight-minute span, keeping the Lions from further extending their lead.