TAMUC – Sports

Lions move up to 12th in AFCA Coaches’ Poll.

WACO – The Texas A&M University-Commerce football team moved up one spot to earn the No. 12 national ranking. It is the first regular-season release of the American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches’ Poll, as announced by the AFCA on Monday. 

The Lions rolled to an 83-0 win over Selección Nuevo León in the season opener, giving head coach David Bailiff a victory in his first game as the Lions’ head coach. The Lions were dominant in every phase of the game in their first-ever international contest.

Six A&M-Commerce opponents in 2019 are ranked in the top 25 or receiving votes. Tarleton moved up to No. 5, Colorado State-Pueblo held steady at No. 9, and Midwestern State jumped to 16th. West Texas A&M, Angelo State, and Eastern New Mexico are receiving votes. The Lions are the fourth-highest ranked team in Super Region Four. 

A&M-Commerce has been ranked in 54 consecutive AFCA polls, dating back to the 2015 preseason poll. This is A&M-Commerce’s 60th all-time appearance in the AFCA poll since its inception in 2000. 

In the polls recognized by Division II as the top rating system, the Lions have been known as a nationally ranked team 109 times since joining Division II in 1981.

The Lions face Division II opposition for the first time in 2019 this weekend, as they hit the road for a matchup with Western Oregon. Kickoff in Monmouth, Ore., is set for 3:05 p.m. CDT, with radio coverage on the Lion Sports Network.

2019 American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches’ Poll
September 9, 2019

Rank	School (1st votes)	Rec.	Pts.	Prev.
1.	Valdosta St. (Ga.) (31)	1-0	799	1
2.	Ferris St. (Mich.)	1-0	732	2
3.	Minnesota St.	1-0	718	3
4.	Notre Dame (Ohio)	1-0	646	4
5.	Tarleton  (Texas)	1-0	644	7
6.	Ouachita Baptist (Ark.)	1-0	643	5
7.	Northwest Missouri St. (1)	1-0	624	6
8.	Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.)	1-0	578	8
9.	Colorado St.-Pueblo	1-0	545	9
10.	Grand Valley St. (Mich.)	1-0	488	12
11.	Slippery Rock (Pa.)	1-0	441	10
12.	A&M-COMMERCE	1-0	400	13
13.	Minnesota-Duluth	1-0	397	14
14.	West Georgia	1-0	396	15
15.	Indianapolis (Ind.)	1-0	355	16
16.	Midwestern St.	1-0	331	20
17.	Colorado School of Mines	1-0	313	17
18.	Wingate (N.C.)	1-0	208	21
19.	West Chester (Pa.)	1-0	189	22
20.	West Alabama	1-0	173	24
21.	Central Missouri	1-0	105	NR
22.	Harding (Ark.)	0-1	95	18
23.	Pittsburg St. (Kan.)	1-0	84	NR
24.	Indiana (Pa.)	1-0	83	NR
25.	Fort Hays St. (Kan.)	0-1	67	11

Dropped Out: Hillsdale (Mich.) (19), Ashland (Ohio) (23), Fairmont St. (W.Va.) (25)

Others Receiving Votes: Bowie St. (Md.), 56; Virginia Union, 40; Ashland (Ohio), 38; Augustana (S.D.), 30; Carson-Newman (Tenn.), 24; California (Pa.), 23; Southern Arkansas, 15; Ohio Dominican, 13; West Texas A&M, 13; Colorado Mesa, 12; Angelo St. (Texas), 10; Florida Tech, 10; Emporia St. (Kan.), 9; Kutztown (Pa.), 9; Saginaw Valley St. (Mich.), 9; Albany St. (Ga.), 5; Chadron St. (Neb.), 5; Winona St. (Minn.), 5; Central Washington, 4; Findlay (Ohio), 4; Michigan Tech, 4; Shepherd (W.Va.), 3; St. Cloud State (Minn.), 2; Eastern New Mexico, 1; Fairmont St. (W.Va.), 1; Kentucky St., 1.

 

Lions hold at No. 20 in AVCA poll after the first week.·          

COMMERCE– The Texas A&M University-Commerce volleyball team held its No. 20 national ranking in the American Volleyball Coaches Association poll, as announced Monday. The Lions were ranked No. 20 in the preseason poll and have been nationally ranked in 14 consecutive AVCA polls, dating back to week two of the 2018 season. 

The Lions began the 2019 season last weekend, earning three wins in the Reddie/Tiger Invitational. The Lions swept St. Edward’s and received a five-set road win over Henderson State on Friday. A&M-Commerce then added a win over Mississippi College on Saturday to bring their early record to 3-1. 

A&M-Commerce is one of two teams from the Lone Star Conference to be ranked in the top 25, with Tarleton earning the No. 9 ranking. 

The Lions return to action on Friday in day one of the Colorado Premiere Challenge, held in Denver. The Lions will begin by facing No. 1 Tampa, the defending national champions. Later in the day, the Lions will face host school Regis, who is receiving votes in the AVCA poll. Based on results, the Lions will be placed in one of three brackets, with their two opponents on Saturday yet to be determined. 

After the Colorado Premiere Challenge, the Lions will return home to play their home opening and conference-opening match on Sept. 20 against A&M-Kingsville. A&M-Commerce will host 12 home matches during the regular season, including 11 games against LSC opponents. Season tickets for Lion Volleyball home matches can be purchased at WeAreLionsTix.com, by calling (903) 468-8756, or by visiting the Lion Sales & Service Box Office inside the Field House during business hours.

2019 AVCA Division II Top-25 Coaches Poll – Sept. 9 (Week 1)

Rk.	School (First Place)	Pts.	Record	Prev.
1	Tampa (41)	1140	4-0	1
2	Cal State San Bernardino (3)	1090	3-0	2
3	Western Washington	1041	4-0	3
4	Washburn (2)	1011	4-0	4
5	Lewis	906	4-0	7
6	Minnesota Duluth	860	3-1	6
7	Northern State	834	4-0	8
8	Nebraska-Kearney	761	4-0	11
9	Tarleton	742	3-1	10
10	Concordia – St. Paul	689	2-2	5
11	Ferris State	675	4-0	12
12	Central Missouri	566	3-1	17
13	Barry	555	4-0	16
14	Wheeling	546	3-1	13
15	Southwest Minnesota State	508	3-1	9
16	Palm Beach Atlantic	472	3-1	15
17	Rockhurst	437	2-2	14
18	NW Missouri State	275	4-0	NR
19	Hillsdale	208	3-1	NR
20	A&M-COMMERCE	178	3-1	20
21	Michigan Tech	167	3-1	NR
22	Wayne State (Neb.)	152	4-0	NR
23	Cal State L.A.	139	1-3	19
24	Wingate	123	4-0	25
25	Central Washington	99	2-2	23

Lions score three goals, earn shutout win over Northwestern Oklahoma State.·          

ALVA, Okla.– The Texas A&M University-Commerce soccer team picked up a 3-0 shutout win over Northwestern Oklahoma State on the road Monday. Amber Crews, Leslie Campuzano, and Kasey Sorbers all found the net as the Lions earned their first win of the year. 

The win brings the Lions to 1-0-1 on the season. The Rangers fall to 1-2-0 on the year. 

The Lions return to action on Thursday in their home-opening match. A&M-Commerce will host Ouachita Baptist at 7:00 pm at the Lion Soccer Field. Season tickets to the Lions’ nine home matches can be purchased at WeAreLionsTix.com, by calling (903) 468-8756, or by visiting the Lion Sales & Service Box Office inside the Field House during business hours. 

HEAD COACH NEIL PIPER AFTER THE MATCH

– On picking up the win: “It was a much-needed win. It was a great challenge for us. We were battling 25-mile per hour winds, and it was a hot day.”

– On scoring three goals in the match: “The scoreline flattered us. We were outplayed in the first half but scored two nice goals against the run of play. The second half we played much better and took more control of the game.” 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

– Amber Crews (Lewisville) earned her first career goal in the 35th minute, scoring off of a long free-kick.

– Lesslie Campuzano (Garland – Lakeview Centennial) scored her primary goal of the year in the 38th minute. She scored on an assist from Naomi Sink (Plano – Plano East Senior).

– Kasey Sorbers (Rowlett – Sachse) scored in 74th minute, on a lofted pass from Lauren Shaw (Livingston – The Covenant Prep).

– Campuzano had two shots on goal. Sink had a shot on goal, as well as one shot on goal from Cora Welch (Plano – Plano Senior).

– Jen Peters (Allen) earned her second consecutive shutout, stopping all eight shots on target from NWOSU.

– After giving up seven shots on goal in the first half, the Lion defense held NWOSU to just one shot on goal in the second half. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Lions attacked early, with Welch getting a quick shot on goal in the second minute. The Rangers countered with a shot on goal in the sixth minute, which Peters saved. 

The ball changed possession multiple times early in half, as each team looked for opportunities to find a shot on goal. The Rangers then found their chance in the 24th minute, with two shots on goal in a matter of seconds. However, Peters was able to deflect both, keeping NWOSU off the board. 

The Lions got the opportunity they needed in the 35th minute. After a foul led to a free-kick from Crews from far out, she smashed the ball, and it found the top of the net over the head of the keeper. 

The Lions were not finished, as after Peters picked up the ball in the 38th minute, she fired a goal-kick downfield. The kick took a hop and found the feet of Sink, who saw Campuzano behind the defense. Campuzano used her left foot to hit the right side of the net, doubling the Lion lead as they went into the half. 

The Lions had only three shots on goal in the first half but made the most of their opportunities. The Rangers had seven shots on goal, with all seven being saved by Peters. NWOSU had 11 shots in the first half, while the Lions had eight shots. 

The Lions missed an opportunity early in the second half as a free-kick from Campuzano was deflected by the Ranger goalkeeper off the crossbar, landing in the goal box. The Lions fought to get another shot, but the Rangers pushed the ball out of play, forcing a corner kick. 

The Lions began to control the ball more in the second half, firing multiple shots at the goal. After some misses, the Lions capitalized again in the 74th minute. Finding the ball in the left corner, Shaw lofted a nice ball toward the net and Sorbers pushed it in to extend the Lion lead to 3-0. 

The Lions continued to dominate the ball to finish the game, with Sink adding a shot on goal in the 82nd minute. The Rangers had a late shot on goal off of a free-kick, but Peters made the diving save, preserving the 3-0 shutout win.

 

Lion men bounce back to sit in 11th after 36 holes at Palmer Foundation Invitational.

AMARILLO – After a rough start in the first 18 holes of the season, the Texas A&M University-Commerce men’s golf team dropped 10 strokes in the second round to move up to 11th place after 26 holes in the Palmer Foundation Invitational. 

The Lions shot a 14-over par 582 (296-286) in the first 36 holes of the year on the par 71-course. St. Edward’s leads the tournament at 9-under. 

Joe Wolcik (Cleveland – Tarkington) leads the Lions in sixth place on the leaderboard at 139 (-3, 69-70). He had an eagle and three birdies in his first round, followed by four birdies in the second round. 

Blake Hartford (Spring – Klein Collins) is in 20th place at even-par 142 (72-70). After a 1-over par first round with two birdies, he carded four birdies in a 1-under par second round. 

Alex Welch (League City – Clear Spring) is in 49th at 147 (79-68, +5) with the Lions’ low round of the day, carding four birdies in the second round. Newcomer Simon Haas (Lorch, Germany) is in 83rd at 156, and Zach Burch (Lubbock – Cooper) is in 88th at 158.

The tournament concludes Tuesday with 18 holes of action.

Rank	Team	Scores		Total	Par
1.	St. Edward’s	278	281	559	-9
2.	Oklahoma Christian	282	278	560	-8
3.	Colorado St.-Pueblo	281	288	569	+1
	St. Mary’s	283	286	569	+1
5.	Arkansas-Ft. Smith	285	285	570	+2
6.	Southwestern Oklahoma St.	280	291	571	+3
7.	Midwestern State	284	289	573	+5
8.	Indian Hills CC	290	284	574	+6
9.	Hutchinson CC	284	291	575	+7
10.	Central Oklahoma	288	291	579	+11
11.	A&M-Commerce	296	286	582	+14
12.	West Texas A&M	290	294	584	+16
13.	Wayland Baptist	294	292	586	+18
14.	Cameron	292	295	587	+19
15.	UT Tyler	295	293	588	+20
16.	Colorado Mesa	301	289	590	+22
17.	Lubbock Christian	300	307	607	+39

Tex. A&M-Commerce	296	286	582	+14	11th
Joe Wolcik	69	70	139	-3	t-6th
Blake Hartford	72	70	142	E	t-20th
Alex Welch	79	68	147	+5	t-49th
Simon Haas	78	78	156	+14	t-83rd
Zach Burch	77	81	158	+16	88th

Lions fifth after opening round of Texan Invitational.

GLEN ROSE – The Texas A&M University-Commerce women’s golf team teed started the 2019-20 season Monday at the Texan Invitational. The Lions are in fifth place after the first 18 holes of the year. 

The Lions shot a 10-over par 298 on the par 72-course at Squaw Valley GC, and are nine strokes back of leaders Dallas Baptist. 

Sarah Wongsinth (Udon Thani, Thailand) was the Lions’ top golfer in the opening round, shooting an even-par 72, sitting in a tie for fifth place. She had four birdies in her opening 18 holes. 

Sophie-Charlott Hempel (Pirmasens, Germany) is tied for 16th on the leaderboard with a 1-over par 73. She also had four birdies in her round. 

Makena Thomas (San Antonio – Reagan) is in 31st with a 4-over par 76. Lexi Bubenchik (New Concord, Ohio) is in 40th at 5-over par 77, and Paige-Lee Garris (West Palm Beach, Fla.) is in 48th at 6-over par 78. Individually competing, Lauren Bentley (League City – Clear Creek) shot a 3-over par 75 and is tied for 25th. 

DBU leads the Lions by nine in a field where 12 of the Lone Star Conference’s teams are competing. The tournament concludes Tuesday with 18 holes of action.

Rank	Team	Total	Par
1.	Dallas Baptist	289	+1
2.	Cameron	292	+4
	Midwestern State	292	+4
4.	St. Mary’s	294	+6
5.	A&M-Commerce	298	+10
6.	St. Edward’s	299	+11
7.	UT Tyler	300	+12
8.	Central Oklahoma	304	+16
	Tarleton	304	+16
	Tex. A&M-Kingsville	304	+16
11.	Arkansas-Ft. Smith	310	+22
12.	Angelo State	319	+31
13.	Lubbock Christian	333	+45

Tex. A&M-Commerce	298	+10	5th
Sarah Wongsinth	72	E	t-5th
Sophie-Charlott Hempel	73	+1	t-16th
Lauren Bentley#	75	+3	t-25th
Makena Thomas	76	+4	t-31st
Lexi Bubenchik	77	+5	t-40th
Paige-Lee Garris	78	+6	t-48th

 

Timon Kemboi named Under Armour Student-Athlete of the Week.

COMMERCE – Texas A&M University-Commerce men’s cross country runner Timon Kemboi has been named the inaugural Under Armour Student-Athlete of the Week by Lion Athletics. 

Kemboi – a freshman from Eldoret, Kenya – was the champion of the East Texas Cross Country Shootout, leading the Lion men to the team title. 

In his first collegiate cross country race, Kemboi finished the eight-kilometer course in 25:54.59, over 37 seconds quicker than the next collegiate competitor. 

The Under Armour Student-Athlete of the Week will be awarded by Lion Athletics each week during the academic year, with the Under Armour Student-Athlete of the Month selected from those winners. 

UNDER ARMOUR STUDENT-ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Sept. 10 – Timon Kemboi, Men’s Cross Country

 

 

Josh Manck

Associate Athletics Director for Marketing and Communications | Texas A&M University-Commerce

Committed to a “Best in Class” student-athlete experience

Office: 903.886.5131 Mobile: 817.487.5136

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3011 | Commerce, TX 75429

Physical Address: 2600 Neal Street, Commerce, TX 75429

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Marcus Jensen

Director of Athletic Communications | Texas A&M University-Commerce

Office: 903.468.3027 | Mobile: 801.624.8529

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