CORPUS CHRISTI – A 2-1 heartbreaking loss on Wednesday evening in the first round of the Southland Conference soccer team ended the second-seeded Texas A&M University-Commerce soccer team's 2023 season at the hands of seventh-seeded Houston Christian at the Dr. Jack Dugan Family Soccer and Track & Field Complex.
The Huskies scored a goal in the first half and added another one early in the second. The Lions made it a one-goal match quickly after the second goal by HCU but failed to find the equalizer.
Houston Christian advances in the SLC Tournament to face McNeese in the semifinals on Friday.
The Lions end the season with a record 9-7-3, marking the first winning season for any sport at A&M-Commerce in the Division I era. A&M-Commerce had six players earn all-Southland recognition and return four of those players next season.
"Today was a tough loss," said second year coach
Ashley Gordon. "Give credit to HCU, they put us on our heels the first half and their second goal early in the second half really put us in a hole. I was really proud of our immediate response with a goal that got us back in the game. Unfortunately, injuries finally caught up to us and we were unable to get the equalizer."
"This is not how we wanted to end our year, but I could not be more proud of our effort and accomplishments this season. These experiences will serve us well next year."
In the ninth minute, Evelyn Slaughter took a shot from the corner for the Huskies, which was saved by the Lions, but Katie Marker was there to kick in the rebound and give the early lead to HCU. Slaughter was credited with an assist on the goal as well.
Through the first 20 minutes of the match, HCU had a 7-1 shot advantage, with four of those shots landing on goal. The Lion defense did not allow another shot until the 41
st minute. The Huskies had the 9-6 edge in shots at the half.
The Lions' first scoring threat came in the 25
th minute with a shot by
Kaydence Ramirez (Waxahachie) being blocked by HCU and then a shot by
Nia Chacon (Rowlett – Sachse) was saved.
Ryan Ford added the second goal for the Huskies in the 51
st minute. Olivia Rossman had a long pass for Ford, who blasted a shot past the Lions' goalkeeper.
The Lions responded by making it a one-goal match again in the 54
th minute with
Melissa Storey (Tyne and Wear, England) scoring off an assist from
Kaydence Ramirez (Waxahachie). From the Lion defensive side of the field, Ramirez passed a long ball towards Storey, who dribbled into the box and put it in the back of the net.
MELISSA STOREY GOAL HIGHLIGHT
Houston Christian held A&M-Commerce to just two shots in the second half, one was scored by Storey and the other was on goal from
Camila Montero (Langham Creek), which was saved by Chloe Bagshaw.
In the match, Bagshaw recorded four saves, while
Gillian McKenzie (Mesquite Horn) had four saves as well.
The Huskies had the 12-8 edge in shots and 8-2 advantage in corner kicks. Ford, Mia Salas, Marker, and Rossman had two shots each for HCU.
This season marks the first since 2019 that A&M-Commerce failed to win a match in its conference tournament, ending a streak of three straight seasons with at least one postseason win.
-TAMUC-
