Texas A&M University-Commerce out shot and held more possession than West Texas A&M but were unable to capitalize on their numerous chances to put the game out of reach. The Lions hit the post twice and had opportunities inside the penalty area of West Texas but could not find the back of the net a second or third time.
"We just did not execute, I say that every time. Sometimes things happen", Neil Piper said after the loss.
The Lions did not waste anytime in getting on the board. Jade Bell got a pass from Cadie Annett, who bicycled it from just outside the box and beat Yvette Bedoy, in the West Texas goal, for a quick 1-0 lead in the seventh minute. The goal was Bell's fifth of the season and the assist was Annett's first point of the season.
A&M-Commerce then controlled the possession and scoring chances for the next 10 minutes. Brionna Minde had two shots saved by Bedoy and Samantha Huston also had a chance stopped by the Lady Buff goalkeeper. This was all after Bell hit the post five minutes after she scored in the 13th minute.
The Lady Buffs got back level when Jessie Thomas got a deflection and raced in on a breakaway for her fourth of the season. The goal broke a 340-minute goal drought for the Lady Buffs.
After West Texas tied the game, the Lions continued to hold possession and get quality scoring chances. Savannah Henderson became the second Lion to hit the woodwork when she hit the post in the 27th minute. Minde had another chance that was turned away by Deboy in the 42nd minute. The Lions had a corner kick at the end of the half but could not convert.
Less than 10 minutes into the second half the Lady Buffs took the lead when Emily Krenek put in a rebound after a shot by Haley Girad hit the crossbar and Callie Ballard could not control the rebound. It was the second of the season for Krenek.
A Lion corner kick from Henderson, in the 54th minute, led to quality chances but Bedoy saved a header from Callie Annett and a shot from Julia Hernandez hit the crossbar and bounced straight down and out.
The Lions had two more chances in the 77th minute when Bedoy denied Minde again and Henderson's ensuing shot went over the goal.
Thomas was not done on the night. She gave the Lady Buffs some added insurance with her second goal of the night and her fifth of the season in similar fashion as her first marker on the night in the 81st minute. A&M-Commerce was unable to get any quality chances in the closing minutes to cut the lead and get a chance to tie the game on one kick.
There was some good news on the night. Despite the loss the Lions did clinch the third seed in the LSC Tournament thanks to an Eastern New Mexico loss to Texas Woman's. The tournament will take place at Angelo State University after they rallied late but fell 3-2 to Midwestern State. The Rambelles will host the tournament due to a better goal differential on the season compared to the Mustangs.
The Lions close out the 2013 regular season when it takes on Eastern New Mexico on Sunday at noon at Lion Soccer Field. It is also senior day, as the Lions will be honoring Catie Hyde, Brionna Minde and Tracey Rodgers prior to the game.
