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GOAL CELEBRATION — Nia Chacon (7) hugs Hannah Bell (6) following Bell's goal during the Lions' game against North Texas last Sunday. Despite this goal, the Lions would suffer a 3-1 loss to the Mean Green. Submitted Photo
DENTON — Playing against a perennial power of the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex last Sunday, the Texas A&M University- Commerce soccer team hung tough in a 3-1 loss to North Texas at the Mean Green Soccer and Track & Field Complex.
A&M-Commerce faced two American Athletic Conference teams this week and went 1-1 in those matches. The Lions are now 1-2-1 after the first two weeks of the season.
North Texas, who moves to 4-0 on the season, had won all three matches prior by matching scores of 3-0 and scored first in this one as well.
'I am proud of the team's performance tonight,' said coach Ashley Gordon. 'The score was not indicative of how we played. Credit to UNT for converting their chances.'
Following a free kick, Jenna Sheely scored with an assist by Devyn Flannery in the 19th minute for the first goal. UNT piled on with a goal in the 28th minute as well. Avery Barron drilled a long shot, with an assist by Kat Burnell.
The Lions quickly answered after the restart with Hannah Bell (Duncanville) scoring her second goal of her freshman season off an assist from Kristen Sueltz (The Colony). The two goals were scored in a span of six seconds, and it was the first goal allowed by UNT this season.
The Lions had six shots on goal in the first half, but five were saved.
The Mean Green were the more aggressive team in the second half with nine shots in the half and six going on goal. The Lions kept the match within one, but in the 82nd minute, Burnell scored on an assist by Abi Major.
The Lions had four shots, including two on goal, in the second half, but Maggie Ogden made the crucial saves to secure the win, she had seven saves. Burnell came off the bench, but she led the way with four saves.
Sophia Dean (Spring – Grand Oaks) made eight saves in goal for the Lions. The freshman played all 180 minutes this week. For the Lions, Nia Chacon (Rowlett – Sachse), Kaydence Ramirez (Waxahachie), and Bell had two shots each.
Gordon added, 'If we would have been a little more clinical in front of goal, we could have earned a result. I can't wait to get back to training and prepare for next week's matches. I want to thank all the A&M-Commerce fans that came out to support us tonight.'
UP NEXT
The Lions took a trip to the Bayou State, facing ULM on last Thursday and LSU on this past Sunday.