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TAMUC – Sports

Late goal sinks Lions in 2-1 loss to West Texas A&M.

CANYON– The Texas A&M University-Commerce soccer team suffered a 2-1 defeat to West Texas A&M on Thursday night. After tying the match with 14 minutes left, the Lions allowed a goal in the 88th minute. 

The loss brings the Lions to 4-3-1 on the season, and 1-2-0 in the Lone Star Conference. The Lady Buffs improve to 3-3-0 on the year and 2-0-0 in conference play. 

The Lions return to action on Saturday against Eastern New Mexico. The match will be played at Noon MDT at Greyhound Stadium in Portales N.M.

HEAD COACH NEIL PIPER AFTER THE MATCH

On falling behind in the first half: “We played really hard in the first half, and I felt like we deserved to be in the lead. So when WT scored off a corner right before half, that was really disheartening.”

On the team’s resolve to begin the half: “WT was all over us in the first 10 minutes of the second half, and we were fortunate not to give up a goal.

On the team’s counter late in the second half: “We switched formations, and we got back into the game a little. Naomi scored a pure hustle goal to equalize, and I thought we were going to win. We missed several good chances in the last 10 minutes of the game. To WT’s credit, they hit us on a counter and scored a nice goal.

On rebounding with another match on Saturday: “We have to build from this performance and get ready to eastern New Mexico on Saturday.” 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

– Naomi Sink (Plano – East Senior) scored the Lions goal in the 74th minute, the first goal of her collegiate career. She had two shots on goal in the match.

– Leslie Campuzano (Garland – Lake Centennial) led the team with three shots on goal in the match. Katie Givens (Rockwall) had two shots on goal.

– Jen Peters (Allen) made four saves in the match.

– Shots were nearly even in the match, with WT holding a slight 18-16 advantage. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

Both teams felt each other out in the first minutes of the game. The Lions were the first team to put a shot on goal, as Givens had her shot saved in the 11th minute. 

The Lion defense held off the WT attack early before the Lady Buffs put a couple of shots on goal in the 27th minute, both of which were saved by Peters. Campuzano put a shot on goal in the 35th minute that was saved as A&M-Commerce continued to apply pressure. 

The Lady Buffs scored on a corner kick in the 40th minute to take the lead in the match. Campuzano and Givens both had late shots on goal in half, but WT took a 1-0 lead into halftime.

WT began the second half with aggression taking multiple shots in the first 10 minutes while holding the Lions without a shot. The Lions then broke through in the 74th minute. Sink stole the ball from WT deep in the goal box. After firing one shot that was blocked by the keeper, Sink kept with the ball and got the rebound, firing it into the back of the net to tie the game.

The Lions had several more opportunities to take the lead, including a shot on goal by Campuzano in the 86th minute. However, it was the Lady Buffs who would net the dagger, putting the ball in the net in the 88th minute to seal the win for WT.

Texas A&M-Commerce extends Burton’s contract through the 2022-23 season.

COMMERCE – Texas A&M University-Commerce has announced a multi-year contract extension through the 2022-23 season for head women’s basketball coach Jason Burton. 

Burton recently completed his fifth season as the Lions head women’s basketball coach, leading A&M-Commerce to its first appearance in the NCAA Regional Tournament since the 2006-07 season, and just its second-ever appearance. The team won 20 games for the second time in three seasons, and for only the third time in program history with a record of 20-11, including a 14-6 record in conference, tying the most conference wins in a single season in program history. The Lions finished at or above .500 for the fifth consecutive year, setting a program record for consecutive winning seasons. 

“Anytime we have an opportunity to retain premium talent, it is a pleasure to do so,” said director of athletics Tim McMurray. “In this case, we are ecstatic to have Jason, Alex, and Braylon continue to be part of our Lion family and continue the ‘Best in Class’ culture that has been established within our women’s basketball program. The best days for our program are still ahead, and that is invigorating.” 

Entering his sixth season as the Lions’ head coach, Burton has a record of 88-59 overall and 57-35 in the Lone Star Conference. Burton’s 88 wins and .599 winning percentage are both program highs for a women’s basketball coach during their first five seasons at A&M-Commerce. He has the third-most wins by a coach in program history and has the highest winning percentage of any coach in program history. Also, he now holds the coaching record for most Lone Star Conference wins in program history. He was also named the Kedric Couch Alumni Coach of the Year by his alma mater – Austin College – in 2019. 

“Since arriving at A&M-Commerce back in 2007, Commerce has become my home, and now it is my family’s home and a place that we love,” Burton said. “These players and coaches, the university staff, and members of this community have embraced us and have become family as well. Alex, Braylon, and I are excited to be in Commerce for years to come. 

“I’m excited to get to work with this staff and with this team and continue to take this program to the top. Thank you to Tim McMurray and Dr. Mark Rudin for continuing to believe in me and what we are doing with our women’s basketball program, and for continuing to invest in these student-athletes. It’s time to hunt!”

Burton received his BA in Business Administration and Management from Austin College in 2007. He would go on to receive his MBA in the same field from A&M-Commerce in 2009.

Burton married Alexyndra Guiton on August 12, 2016, and their son Braylon was born on July 16, 2019. Burton also has two brothers (Brian and Darien). 

The Lions’ 2019-20 season is set to begin on November 8 in Pueblo, Colo., at the Al Kaly Shrine Classic. The home opener is at noon on Thursday, November 14, when the Lion host Ouachita Baptist for Education Day. 

Season tickets for Lion Basketball are available at WeAreLionsTix.com, by calling (903) 468-8756, or visiting the Lion Sales and Service Box Office in the Field House during regular business hours.

 

 

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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