CORPUS CHRISTI – A late set-piece goal in the 87^th minute helped the Texas A&M University-Commerce soccer team edge out Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at the Dr. Jack Dugan Soccer and Track Stadium and start Southland play with a 3-2 win on Sunday afternoon.
 
The Lions have won two in a row for the first time this season and improve to 3-5-1 overall, while the Islanders fall to 3-4-2 overall. This was the first conference match for both teams and a rematch of last season's SLC Tournament quarterfinal. A&M-Commerce is now 3-0 all-time against A&M-Corpus Christi.

"Getting points on the road is always difficult and today was no different," said coach Ashley Gordon. "I am proud of our team's gutsy performance in the second half." 
 
It did not take long for the Islanders to jump out front as Rachel Loetzer connected with Mai-Lisa Atis in the second minute for the opening goal.
 
Just before halftime, the Lions tied the match at one with Hannah Bell (Duncanville) scoring on an assist from Becca Windrum (Wylie). It was Bell's fourth goal of her freshman season.
 
Coming out of halftime, the Lions took their first lead in the 58^th minute as Kristen Sueltz (The Colony) connected with Savannah Powell (Arlington – Martin), for her first goal of the season.

It's Route 1... but it's effective!!!

The Lions of Texas A&M-Commerce lead 2-1 in Corpus Christi, thanks to Savannah Powell's cool finish!

AMCC 1-2 TAMUC, just under 30 mins to play.

?? https://t.co/SgcKOHOoLG#EarnedEveryDay x @tamucwsoc pic.twitter.com/Oqi72UO26J

— Southland Conference (@SouthlandSports) September 17, 2023

SAVANNAH POWELL GOAL HIGHLIGHT
 
The Islanders re-tied the game quickly with Aaliyah Ramadan scoring in the 64^th minute. Both Emma Crump and Atis had the assist.
 
A&M-Commerce had to wait over 20 minutes to re-take the lead, but the Lions did so in the 87^th minute. Camila Montero (Langham Creek) took a corner kick that was headed in by Melissa Storey (Tyne and Wear, England), also her first goal of the season.   

LIONS LEAD! A late set-piece goal has the Lions with the late lead! #GoLions pic.twitter.com/4CJSsmoszv

— A&M-Commerce Women's Soccer (@tamucwsoc) September 17, 2023

MELISSA STOREY GOAL HIGHLIGHT
 
The Islanders had the 20-11 edge in shots, 10-6 edge in shots on goal, and 6-5 advantage in corner kicks. The Lions' Gillian McKenzie (Mesquite Horn) recorded eight saves in the match, which ties her career high.
 
Storey had three shots for A&M-Commerce, while Montero and Ramirez had two each. For the Islanders, Megan Guy had five shots off the bench.
 
Zoe Theriot played the first half in goal for A&M-Corpus Christi, while Kennedy Stelling played the second half and allowed two goals.

Gordon concluded, "after spending quite some time on the road the last few weeks, we are excited to play at home in front of our great fans next Sunday." 
 
UP NEXT
The Lions host Northwestern State next Sunday at 1 p.m. in a rematch of last season's SLC Tournament semifinal.