Goals from Bailey and Tamara Geels headlined a dominating 3-1 victory over Texas A&M-International at A&M-Commerce Soccer Field. The win moved the Texas A&M University-Commerce soccer team to 3-3 on the season after losing earlier in the week to Incarnate Word.
For the majority of the match, the Lady Lions used their superior pace by attacking down the touch lines, then putting balls into the box. Much of the action came in the first half, with all the goals coming in that span including all three of A&M-Commerce’s in the first 15 minutes.
A&M-Commerce took the lead just five minutes in with a great ball from Megan Monroe to Bailey Geels. She chested it down in the six yard box and had a classy finish with her left foot.
“I just stayed within myself and finished it when I had the opportunity,” Geels said.
Their second goal came a mere three minutes later with Bailey’s sister, Tamara, scoring a goal just outside the 18-yard box. A quick pass from Alex Germain led to Geels second score of the season. After the first touch, she slotted the shot just inside the far post for the goal.
A&M-Commerce’s third and final goal came with 32 minutes remaining. This time it came from a dead ball situation after Monroe swung a corner into the box and Bailey Geels finishing with a powerful header.
A&M-International finally slotted in goal at the 20 minute mark after Sandy Hernandez gave a low cross into Dalia Hernandez for an easy goal inside the six-yard box.
The second half lacked the energy and style of the first, but saw A&M-Commerce dominate just the same. For much of the half, A&M-International was stalled by the constant onslaught of the Lady Lions pushing forward. The lone real chance A&M-Commerce had came with five minutes to go after a corner headed in by Bailey Geels was negated after she fouled A&M-International goalie Mary Jo Hall. In the 60th minute, Chelsea Haight earned a yellow card after a clattering challenge on an A&M international player.
Despite their commanding performance, manager Neil Piper was not pleased with his team’s overall play.
“We did not take advantage of the all the chances we had. We worked hard, but not smart; and gave up at certain times.” Piper said after 12 shots-on-goal produced just three goals. “If we expect to be a top ten team this year, that’s not going to get it done. If we had played that way at [then second-ranked team in the nation on Sept. 7] Tampa, we would’ve gotten beat 10-0.”
A&M Commerce next takes on Dallas Baptist, Tuesday at 4:00 in Commerce.
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Staff Reports -The Texas A&M University-Commerce women’s soccer team dropped a 2-0 decision to Incarnate word on Friday afternoon at the A&M-Commerce Soccer Field.
The Cardinals (3-1) scored a goal in each half for the UIW victory. The (2-3) Lions started the contest attacking UIW, but Cardinals goalkeeper Ashton Caffrey denied the early opportunities. UIW challenged the Lions defense and goalkeeper Jennifer Alvarado throughout the match. The Lions were out shot, 26-to-10, in the match. Alvarado made a career-high 10 saves in the loss.
UIW ended the scoreless tie in the 34th minute when a Linah Flores shot hooked into the upper right corner from 25 yards out for the 1-0 advantage. Despite the deficit, the Lions continued to attack as freshman Megan Monroe had three of her career-high five shots in the first 45 minutes. Incarnate Word added an insurance tally in the 85th minute on an Emily Hernandez goal from 12 yards out along the right side of the goal.