BEAUMONT – The matchup between the Texas A&M University-Commerce soccer team and the Lamar Cardinals lived up to the hype as the two teams played to a back-and-forth 2-2 tie at the Lamar Soccer Complex on Sunday afternoon.
Being picked 1-2 in the Southland Conference preseason poll and meeting in the SLC Tournament Championship match a year ago, Lamar and A&M-Commerce came into Sunday. as 1-2 in the SLC standings. Lamar had won 11 in a row coming into this matchup.
The Lions move to 7-6-2 overall on the season and 5-1-1 in SLC matches, while the Cardinals are 12-2-2 overall and 7-0-1 in SLC play. The Lions have three matches left in the regular season, while the Cardinals have two. This was the only regular season meeting between the two teams.
"After Friday's disappointing loss, we knew today was going to be a challenge," said coach
Ashley Gordon. "Sunday matches after Friday night matches are always very difficult in the Southland Conference."
"Our goal was to prove that we could go toe-to-toe with the league leader. After 90 minutes, in extremely windy difficult conditions, our team responded with a great team effort."
Both Lion goals on Sunday afternoon came via set-pieces, first coming in the 32
nd minute. After a foul by Lamar near midfield,
Mindy Shoffit (Wichita Falls – Rider) kicked a long free kick, with the wind on her back, that went into the back of the net. It was Shoffit's second goal of the season.
MINDY SHOFFIT GOAL HIGHLIGHT
The Lions had the lead going into halftime, but Lamar had 21 shots in the second half and broke through for the equalizer in the 57
th minute. A long free kick by Lamar bounced off the crossbar and Alana Clark was there to clean it up and tie the match.
In the four meetings between the two teams in the last two seasons, the Lions scored the first goal each time in the first half, while Lamar came back and tied it each time.
Right after the restart, Lamar was called for a handball in the penalty box as the Lions were awarded a penalty kick.
Camila Montero (Langham Creek) attempted the kick for the Lions, which was saved.
In the 81
st minute, Lamar was called for another handball, this time it was just outside the penalty box as
Kaydence Ramirez (Waxachie) attempted a free kick from out 20 yards out. Ramirez' kick deflected off a defender in the Cardinal wall and went into the goal. It was Ramirez' seventh goal of the season and for the fifth consecutive match.
KAYDENCE RAMIREZ GOAL HIGHLIGHT
It did not take long for Lamar to the match as Maddie Janolo scored in the 86
th minute. A long pass from Hollie Massey was received by Cariel Ellis, who kicked it into the box for Janolo, who kicked it in.
Gillian McKenzie (Mesquite Horn) recorded career-high 12 saves in goal, which also ties her for fourth in program history. Of the 27 shots by Lamar, Massey had eight and Ellis recorded six.
The Lions had 12 shots, with eight landing on goal. Nicole Panis picked up six saves for the Cardinals. Ramirez had team-best three shots, with all three going on goal.
Lamar had a 27-12 shot advantage, while the Lions had 12-6 edge in saves, 6-3 edge in corner kicks, and committed 18 fouls, compared to 10 for the Cardinals.
UP NEXT
The Lions close out the home portion of the regular season next weekend, hosting Nicholls at 6:30 p.m. on Friday to kick off Alumni Weekend and host senior day at 1 p.m. next Sunday against UIW.
-TAMUC-
