COMMERCE – The Texas A&M University-Commerce soccer team makes a trip south this weekend to continue Southland Conference play against McNeese on Friday and Lamar on Sunday. The Lions are one of four teams that are 1-0 in conference play.
LIONS' WEEKEND SCHEDULE
HISTORIC FIRST WIN
The Lions collected a 4-1 win at home against Houston Baptist last Friday in its first Southland Conference match. All five goals came in the second half, as the Lions collected the first win in the Division I era and first win for coach
Ashley Gordon.
A&M-Commerce is one of four teams in the SLC that won its first conference match this season.
MITCHELL'S BRACE SECURES THE WIN
Mya Mitchell (Dallas – Mesquite Horn) had five points in Friday's win, assisting on the first goal of the match and scoring the final two goals. The freshman forward has the most points of any player in conference matches this season.
SHOFFIT SCORES THE FIRST GOAL
After a drought of over 400 minutes to start the season, the Lions' first goal of their inaugural Division I season came against Colorado College on September 4, an own goal by the Tigers. In the second half,
Mindy Shoffitt (Wichita Falls – Rider) scored the first goal by a Lion player to secure a 2-2 tie at Colorado College, scoring in the 87
th minute.
WHAT'S AHEAD FOR THE LIONS
After this weekend's trip, the Lions are back at home to host defending conference champion, Northwestern State on September 25 at 1 p.m.
DOUBLE THE FUN!
Dallas natives and twin sisters,
Mya Mitchell and
Nya Mitchell from Mesquite Horn High School, join the Lions this season. The Mitchells are one of 27 sets of twins in NCAA Division I women's soccer this fall and A&M-Commerce is one of 22 schools with a set of twins on its women's soccer roster this season.
SCOUTING THE COWGIRLS
McNeese is the only team in the conference that has already played two conference matches, winning 4-0 over Nicholls and falling 2-1 to Southeastern Louisiana last weekend. The Cowgirls are 3-4 on the season, with wins over Sam Houston and Southern as well.
Salma Elhaimer has two goals and an assist to lead the team, while Magalie Dépôt has two goals in six matches played. The Cowgirls have used three goalkeepers like the Lions this season as well. Jackie Kelly has played in five matches, starting four, has 15 saves and 10 goals allowed. McNeese is under the direction of seventh-year coach Drew Fitzgerald.
SCOUTING THE CARDINALS
Lamar, who returned to the Southland Conference this season, is undefeated this season, being 4-0-1. The Cardinals had a scoreless tie at South Alabama and notable wins include 3-0 over Houston and 1-0 over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. The Cardinals are at Northwestern State on Friday before hosting the Lions on Sunday.
Christine Kitaru, who has been twice named Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Week, has five goals in four matches played. The Cardinals have outscored their opponents, 13-2 this season. Cariel Ellis has eight points, while Eva Karen has three goals. Nicole Panis, who was named the SLC Goalkeeper of the Week during the first week of the season has played all but 12 minutes in net this season for first-year coach Nathan Kogut. She has 24 saves and two goals allowed.
-TAMUC-
