COMMERCE – Texas A&M University-Commerce soccer team is all set to begin its season on Thursday evening against Oral Roberts at the Lion Soccer Field.
 
WHO: A&M-Commerce vs. Oral Roberts
WHERE: Commerce | Lion Soccer Field
WHEN: Thursday, August 15 | 7 p.m.
RECORDS: This is the season opener for both teams.
 
WATCH: ESPN+ | https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/b042ee49-9ecd-498c-9a61-6689d4f62d49  
SLC INTERNATIONAL FEED: https://www.southland.org/watch/?Live=490
LIVE STATS: https://statb.us/b/533890
TICKETS: LionAthletics.com/Tickets
 
WE MEET AGAIN
The Lions and the Golden Eagles are beginning the season against each for the third straight year. ORU took the win in Tulsa in 2022, while the two teams tied 2-2 in Commerce last year.
 
A win on Thursday would be the first time the Lions have won the season opener since the Spring 2021 season.
 
CHANCE TO REPEAT HISTORY
A&M-Commerce soared to new heights in 2023 and looks to build upon it in 2024. The Lions picked up the first winning season in the Division I era, while finishing second in the Southland, the best finish for any sport since joining the conference.
 
Hannah Bell (Duncanville) picked up SLC Freshman of the Year and Forward of the Year honors, while Kaydence Ramirez (Waxahachie) was named the conference's Newcomer of the Year. The Lions have brought home the conference freshman of the year award for three straight seasons.
 
PRESEASON ACCOLADES
The Southland Conference released its preseason all-conference teams last week and A&M-Commerce led the way with seven honorees, the most in the SLC, including five on the first team.
 
Along with Bell and Ramirez, Nya Mitchell (Dallas – Mesquite Horn), Camila Montero (Langham Creek), and Mindy Shoffit (Wichita Falls – Rider) were named to the first team, while Melissa Storey (Tyne and Wear, England) and Mya Mitchell (Dallas – Mesquite Horn) were named to the second team.
 
Additionally, the Lions were to picked finish second in the SLC for the second straight year, including receiving two first-place votes. Lamar was voted to three-peat as conference champions.
 
EVERYBODY'S BACK!
All but four players from last season's roster return this year, which includes all 11 starters and all but two players that appeared in last season's Southland Conference Tournament.
 
Also returning for the Lions are Mya Mitchell, Ashley Campuzano (Dallas – Atlas Prep), and Alana Lawless-Felarca (Richardson), who missed most of last season due to injury. Campuzano and Mitchell were named to all-Southland teams in 2022.
 
HELLO NEWCOMERS
The Lions welcome four freshmen and three transfers this season. The incoming freshmen are goalkeeper Veronica Pacione (Birdville), forward Elaina Flores (McKinney – Boyd), midfielder Ava Watts (Tulsa, Okla.), and midfielder/forward Emily Bautista (Princeton).
 
While the transfers are midfielder/forward Reneta Vargas (Coppell) from Baylor, midfielder/forward McKenna O'Toole (Lake Travis) from Colorado College, and defender Trinity Egerton (Garland – Rowlett) from Baylor.
 
TWICE THE MITCHELLS
Mya and Nya Mitchell are one of 24 sets of twins in NCAA Division I Soccer this year, they are also one of two to both receive all-conference accolades in the Southland Conference.
 
SCOUTING THE GOLDEN EAGLES
Oral Roberts comes into Commerce boasting an 8-7-4 record last season and advanced to the semifinal round of the Summit League Tournament. Under the direction of third-year coach, Austin Risenhoover, Samantha Guzman and Ariana Fresquez were selected as Summit League Players to Watch.
 
WHAT IS NEXT FOR THE LIONS
Following Thursday's match, the Lions make a trip out west to UTEP (August 22) and New Mexico State (August 24), before returning home for two straight home matches.