COMMERCE – Coming off an impressive weekend where the Texas A&M University-Commerce soccer team picked up its first win of the season, the Lions head down to Louisiana this weekend to face ULM and LSU.
LIONS' WEEKEND SCHEDULE
WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE LIONS
The Lions take on two UT system schools next week, facing UTSA on the road on September 7 and hosting UTEP on September 10.
A LOOK BACK AT LAST WEEK'S ACTION
The Lions downed Tulsa at home for a 2-0 win, which was A&M-Commerce's first non-conference win in the Division I era. A&M-Commerce fell 3-1 on the road at UNT last Sunday, but the goal scored by the Lions was the first allowed goal by the Mean Green this season.
A HISTORIC WIN OVER GOLDEN HURRICANE
Scoring once in each half and posting a shutout in net against Tulsa gave the Lions a 2-0 win, their first in 2023. It is also A&M-Commerce's first non-conference win in the Division I era.
DEAN, RAMIREZ EARN SLC RECOGNITION
Sophia Dean (Spring – Grand Oaks) and
Kaydence Ramirez (Waxahachie) received Southland Conference Players of the Week honors this week. Dean played all 180 minutes and collected a shutout over Tulsa, while Ramirez scored the match-winner against the Golden Hurricane.
SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
BELL'S IMPRESSIVE DEBUT
Bell scored a goal in her first collegiate match, tallying a goal in the first half against Oral Roberts. She added another goal against UNT.
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.
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 17 sets of twins in NCAA Division I women's soccer, represented by 17 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.
SCOUTING THE WARHAWKS
ULM and A&M-Commerce meet for the second time in as many years as the Warhawks took the 3-0 win in Commerce last season. ULM is 1-0-2 on the season thus far, with the win coming over Sam Houston. Inge Konst has seven points on the season with three goals and an assist. In goal, both Alexa Castro and Mickaela Leal have logged 180 minutes each, but Castro has made 13 saves, while Leal has totaled five.
A LOOK AT THE TIGERS
The Lions battle the Tigers for the first time on Sunday, which is also the first time A&M-Commerce has faced a team from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in the regular season. The Tigers are off to a 3-0-1 start and are receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll.
LSU has a win over no. 9 ranked Texas as well as Southern and Southern Miss. The Tigers face Wisconsin on Thursday before hosting the Lions on Sunday. Both Ida Hermannsdottir and Mollie Baker have seven points each, scoring three goals and an assist each. Mollee Swift has started every match in goal and has recorded 10 saves.
-TAMUC-
