COMMERCE – Texas A&M University-Commerce soccer team is all set to begin the 2023 season this week, hosting Oral Roberts on Thursday and heading to Tarleton on Sunday.
 
LIONS' WEEKEND SCHEDULE

DATE	TIME	OPPONENT	COVERAGE
Thursday, Aug. 17	7 p.m.	vs. Oral Roberts	ESPN+ | Live Stats
Sunday, Aug. 20	1 p.m.	at Tarleton	ESPN+ | Live Stats

 
WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE LIONS
A&M-Commerce hosts Tulsa next Thursday and heads to North Texas on August 27, which starts a four-match road swing.
 
A FRESH SLATE
The Lions head into the 2023 season with several newcomers, highlighted by three transfers from fellow NCAA Division I schools and impactful freshmen. The Lions are picked to finish second in the Southland Conference, which is the program's highest predicted finish since 2018.
 
EXCITING EXHIBITION ACTION
A&M-Commerce faced Hill College and Stephen F. Austin in its two exhibition matches and outscored the two opponents by a margin of 14-1.
 
A HISTORIC 2022
The Lions are coming off a historic season last year, which was A&M-Commerce's first in NCAA Division I and the Southland Conference. The Lions went 9-9-2, finishing third in the SLC during the regular season and advancing to the SLC Tournament Championship match.
 
A&M-Commerce retains four all-conference players from last season, highlighted by 2022 Southland Freshman of the Year Mya Mitchell (Dallas – Mesquite Horn) as well as Ashley Campuzano (Dallas – Atlas Prep), Nya Mitchell (Dallas – Mesquite Horn), and Mindy Shoffit (Wichita Falls – Rider).
 
PRESEASON POLLS
In the SLC preseason poll, the Lions were voted to finish second, behind defending SLC champion Lamar. Additionally, Campuzano and Mya Mitchell were named to preseason first team all-conference, while Shoffit, Nya Mitchell, and Hailey Griffin (Byron Nelson) were named to preseason second team all-conference.
 
2023 Southland Preseason Poll

1	Lamar (14)	126
2	A&M-COMMERCE	97
3	Southeastern	84
4	HCU (2)	83
5	Northwestern State (2)	81
6	Texas A&M-Corpus Christi	68
7	McNeese	53
8	UIW	33
9	Nicholls	23

 
MITCHELLS IN RARIFIED COMPANY
Both Mya and Nya Mitchell were named to preseason all-conference teams this year. They are believed to be the only sisters in NCAA Division I women's soccer this year to have both earned preseason all-conference honors.
 
TWICE THE FUN
The Mitchells are also among 15 sets of twins in NCAA Division I women's soccer, represented by 13 programs.
 
THEY ARE ALL BACK
Ashley Gordon, who enters her second season as the Lions' coach, retains her entire staff from a year ago. Omar Morales remains as the assistant coach and Luca Crivellari continues as the program's graduate assistant.
 
REMATCH AGAINST THE GOLDEN EAGLES
A&M-Commerce and Oral Roberts are kicking off their seasons against each other for the second straight season. Last season, ORU collected a 4-0 win in Tulsa, which was the Lions' first match in NCAA Division I.
 
This season, Oral Roberts is picked to finish fourth in the Summit League under the direction of coach Austin Risenhoover. Gabrielle Abbey and Samantha Guzman were named Players to Watch in the Summit League.
 
A HISTORIC MEETING AGAINST THE TEXANS
Though A&M-Commerce and Tarleton are considered rivals in most sports, Sunday marks the first meeting between the two schools on the soccer pitch. The Texans enter the second year of their program's history.
 
In their first ever season, the Texans went 6-9-3. This season, Tarleton is picked to finish eighth in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). Tarleton is coached by Pete Cuadrado.