NATCHITOCHES, La. – Texas A&M-Commerce’s first trip to the Southland Conference Soccer Championship was highlighted by freshmen, as the third-seeded Lions picked up a 2-1 win over sixth-seeded Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in quarterfinal action Wednesday.
The Lions advance to the semifinals in their first-ever tournament trip and carry an 8-8-2 into the 7 p.m. Friday match against the winner of the Northwestern State/McNeese quarterfinal. The Islanders’ season comes to a close at 8-9-1.
A&M-Commerce were the aggressors in the first half, putting pressure on the Islanders from the opening whistle. After numerous close calls, first team All-Southland midfielder Ashley Campuzano’s near post shot in the 37
th minute found the back of the net to give the Lions a 1-0 lead.
The Lions outshot A&M-Corpus Christi 9-5 in the first half and had a 7-2 advantage on corner kicks.
The Islanders were nearly instantly level after the halftime break, scoring 68 seconds into the second half. After a long free kick from near midfield bounced through the penalty area, Morgan Westbury found herself with the ball in space and put it in the bottom right corner to tie the match at 1-all.
Southland Freshman of the Year Mya Mitchell put A&M-Commerce back in front in the 52
nd minute, slotting home a shot to the bottom left corner on an assist from Karalie Morrison. The goal was Morrison’s ninth of the season.
The Islanders were unable to find the net to tie the match, with a last ditch free kick going wayward and the Lions advanced to the semifinals. A&M-Commerce had a 17-12 shooting edge and a 10-2 advantage in corner kicks.