THIBODAUX, La. – Kaydence Ramirez and Hannah Bell scored for the second straight match to give the Texas A&M University-Commerce soccer team a 2-1 win over Nicholls on Sunday afternoon at the Thibodaux Regional Sports Complex.
 
The Lions increased their winning streak to five, which matches last season as the longest winning streak since 2016. A&M-Commerce is 6-5-1 overall and 4-0 in Southland Conference play, marking the first time since 2004 that the Lions started 4-0 in conference play. Nicholls is 1-12 and 0-4 in conference play and the Lions have won both meetings over the Colonels over the past two seasons.  
 
Coach Ashley Gordon said, "I'm happy with our team's effort today vs Nicholls. Winning on both Friday and Sunday on the road is a big boost for our team, Sundays are always a grind."
 
A&M-Commerce had a slight 5-3 shot advantage in the first half, which was scoreless, but in the second half, the Lions had a 13-1 shot advantage. Ramirez (Waxahachie) scored on the first shot for the Lions in the second half, scoring for the second straight match and her fourth of the season.
 
Bell (Duncanville) scored in the 81^st minute off an assist from Camila Montero (Langham Creek). It is her seventh goal of the season, and she has scored in all four conference matches.
 
"Taking care of the ball in possession in the second half gave us many goal scoring opportunities," added Gordon. "Kaydence and Hannah scored quality goals."
 
The Colonels responded in the 83^rd minute with a goal from Koryn Barrett, with an assist from Hanah Gonzalez, which was Nicholls' only shot of the second half.
 
Sophia Dean (Spring – Grand Oaks) played the first half in goal for the Lions and recorded one save, while Gillian McKenzie (Mesquite Horn) played the second half, facing only one shot, that was scored by Barrett. Megan Cook made three saves in 90 minutes for Nicholls.
 
The Lions ended the match outshooting the Colonels, 18-4. Ramirez had five shots, while Kaitlyn Valaitis (Rowlett – Sachse) had four shots, and both Valerie Flores (Irving – MacArthur) and Bell had three each.
 
A&M-Commerce had 12 corners, compared to just one for Nicholls, who committed 14 fouls and charged with three yellow cards, while A&M-Commerce had eight fouls and no cards.
 
UP NEXT
The Lions are at home for their next two matches, hosting Houston Christian on Friday at 7 p.m. and A&M-Corpus Christi on October 13 at 7 p.m.