CORPUS CHRISTI – Two set-piece goals in the first half was all the Texas A&M University-Commerce soccer team needed to beat UIW, 2-1, in the quarterfinal round of the Southland Conference Tournament on Tuesday afternoon at Dr. Jack Duggan Soccer and Track Stadium.
With the win over the Cardinals, the Lions advance to the semifinal round of the Southland Tournament for the second time in three years and will face the winner of second-seeded A&M-Corpus Christi and seventh-seeded Lamar at 7 p.m. on Thursday night.
A&M-Commerce and UIW met in the postseason for the second time in the two program's histories. The Lions are now 2-0 over the Cardinals, having also won in 1999 on their way to playing in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight round.
The Lions outshot the Cardinals 8-4 in the first half with all four shots for UIW landing on goal and saved by
Veronica Pacione (Birdville), while the Lions had four shots on goal as well, with two ending up in the back of the net against the SLC Goalkeeper of the Year, Erica Defferding.
In the 24
th minute
Kristen Sueltz (The Colony) scored the first goal of the match with
Nia Chacon (Rowlett – Sachse) and
Kaydence Ramirez (Waxahachie) assisting on the goal. A corner from Chacon was headed in by Ramirez, but saved, and Sueltz headed in the rebound.
KRISTEN SUELTZ GOAL HIGHLIGHT
The second Lion goal came off a set piece as well on another corner kick by Chacon in the 39
th minute, this time it was headed in by Ramirez, the SLC Player of the Year. Her 10
th goal of the season.
KAYDENCE RAMIREZ GOAL HIGHLIGHT
The Lion defense locked down and held UIW without a shot through the first 27 minutes off the second half, but in the 74
th minute, Melissa Bailey took a shot that came off the post and Zara Dominguez was there to kick the ball in the back of the net.
Pacione finished the match with five saves. It was the first start in the postseason for the freshman netminder. Ramirez had three shots to lead the Lions, all three were on goal.
POST MATCH INTERVIEW
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