COMMERCE – Only two more matches remain for the Texas A&M University-Commerce soccer team before the start of conference play and they come against UTSA and UTEP this weekend.
LIONS' WEEKEND SCHEDULE
WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE LIONS
The Lions begin Southland action at A&M-Corpus Christi on September 17.
A LOOK BACK AT LAST WEEK'S ACTION
A&M-Commerce suffered two losses last week on the trip to Louisiana at ULM and LSU.
Hannah Bell (Duncanville) was the lone goal scorer for the Lions on the trip.
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 last 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
| Date |
Goalkeeper |
Defensive |
Offensive |
| Aug. 22 |
Makenzie Hall, UIW |
Eve Clarkson, UIW |
Kelsey Fuller, Southeastern |
| Aug. 29 |
Sophia Dean, A&M-Commerce |
Ellie-Mae Sanford, UIW |
Kaydence Ramirez, A&M-Commerce |
| Sept. 5 |
Kennedy Stelling, A&M-Corpus Christi |
Lauren Andre, Nicholls |
Maggie Murray, A&M-Corpus Christi |
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 and scored against ULM as well.
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 ROADRUNNERS
UTSA, who won the 2022 Conference USA Tournament and played in the NCAA Tournament, is 3-2-1 this season. The three wins include a win over SLC foe McNeese. This is the third American Athletic Conference team that A&M-Commerce is facing this season.
The Roadrunners are led offensively by Sophie Morrin, who has two goals on the season. Having scored eight goals all season, the Roadrunners have only allowed five to opposing teams in their first six matches. Mia Krusinski has 16 saves to her ledger in goal.
A&M-Commerce and UTSA met in Commerce last season with the Roadrunners winning 2-0.
A LOOK AT THE MINERS
UTEP is under the direction of first year coach Gibbs Keeton. The Miners are 1-4-1 on the season and play at Tulsa on Thursday before coming down to Commerce to face the Lions.
The Miners have scored four goals this season with Taya Lopez scoring one and adding an assist on another one. Tionna Taylor has logged over 523 minutes in goal and made 30 saves. This is the first meeting between the two teams.
-TAMUC-
