COMMERCE – For the first time in the 2024 season, the Texas A&M University-Commerce soccer team is on the road as the Lions play at UTEP and New Mexico State this weekend.
LIONS' WEEKEND SCHEDULE
BIG START TO THE SEASON
The Lions downed Oral Roberts 4-1 last Thursday to begin the season with a 4-1 record, marking the first time in the Division I era and first time since the spring season of 2021 that the Lions won their season opener.
BELL KEEPS RINGING
Hannah Bell (Duncanville) scored the first two goals in the win over Oral Roberts as a result, the reigning Southland Conference Forward and Freshman of the Year was named the SLC Offensive Player of the Week, her first career weekly honor and the seventh for the Lions in the last two seasons.
THIRD TIME WAS THE CHARM
The Lions and Golden Eagles began the season against each other last Thursday for the third straight year. After a 4-0 ORU win in 2022, a 2-2 tie in Commerce in 2023, the Lions finally got over the hump to take their first win in the series.
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.
Bell 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. Additionally, 100 percent of goal production and point production returns for the Lions this year, which is tops in the country.
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.
Pacione played the second half in goal last week, while both Flores and Watts appeared in the match.
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 COMPETITION
The Lions and the Miners meet for the second straight year, A&M-Commerce took the 3-2 win in Commerce last season. UTEP is coming off a scoreless tie at Abilene Christian to begin the season. Anai Lopez had two shots, while Angelina Amparano recorded five saves for the shutout.
New Mexico State got off to a great start to the 2024 campaign after a 2-2 tie against nationally ranked USC and a 3-1 win over New Mexico. The Aggies host Oregon before facing the Lions on Saturday night. Meredith Scott has scored two of the team's five goals thus far this season. Valerie Guha has played all 180 minutes in goal, but saved just one of the four shots on goal she has faced.
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.
-TAMUC-
