SAN ANTONIO – In the penultimate match of the regular season, the Texas A&M University-Commerce soccer team suffered a 3-0 setback on the road at UIW on Friday night at Gayle & Tom Benson Stadium.
 
The Lions, who came into the match as the leaders in the Southland Conference standings, fall to 5-3-1 in conference play this season. Based on results around the conference on Friday night, the Lions are now in second place, with SFA leapfrogging the Lions for first place.
 
A&M-Commerce is in a three-way tie for second with Southeastern and Northwestern State, though the Lions do hold the tiebreaker over both teams as well as SFA. The Lions need a win and two SFA losses to win the first conference championship in the SLC era.
 
"Tonight was a disappointing loss, said coach Ashley Gordon. "Although we were statistically even in all stats, we did not do enough to win the match. Missing a penalty kick and hitting the post twice was unlucky, but we still needed more individually on both sides of the ball to get the win."
 
"We have a week to prepare for Houston Christian. It's important for us to regain form before the tournament."
 
The Cardinals took advantage of a defensive misplay by the Lions to score the first goal of the match just 15 seconds in. Peri Olmo scored an unassisted goal, cleaning up a loose ball near the Lion goal, marking the second straight match that the Lions gave up a goal in the first minute of the match.
 
The Lions were awarded a chance to tie the match in the fifth minute on a penalty kick, but it was saved.
 
Sierra Wannamaker added the second goal of the match for UIW in the 26^th minute, scoring off an assist from Sinead Duffy. The third goal of the match came in the 73^rd minute as Meredith Caviglia scored an unassisted goal.
 
The Lions had 14 shots in the match, but only four landed on goal, which were all saved by Erica Defferding. Gillian McKenzie (Mesquite Horn) picked up one save for the Lions as the Cardinals had the 15-14 edge in shots, though the Lions did have five corners compared to three for UIW.
 
Hannah Bell (Duncanville) and Kaydence Ramirez (Waxahachie) had three shots each to lead the way for the Lions.
 
UP NEXT
The Lions close out the regular season next Friday at 7 p.m. at Houston Christian.