WOMEN'S SOCCER
Lions Post 1-0 Win over Nebraska-Omaha in NCAA First Round
Junior Meagan Lasley scored her 20th goal of the 2008 season to lead the Texas A&M University-Commerce women’s soccer team to a 1-0 win over Nebraska-Omaha in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday.
The Mesquite, Texas native took on the UNO defender and cut to her right and drilled the ball to the far post in the lower left corner in the 23rd minute for her fourth game-winning goal of the season.
“Once we got the lead, we made the decision to get more defensive. It just happened to work out for us today,” said head coach Neil Piper.
The A&M-Commerce attack was out shot by a 14-to-6 margin; however, junior goalkeeper Taylor Jordan (pictured; photo by Dave Copp) kept the Mavericks off the scoreboard with six saves for her fifth shutout of the season.
“We all stepped up and played our game. We wanted it and it showed,” said an excited Lasley.
Finding themselves behind in the final three minutes of the contest, the Mavericks packed in their offensive attack against the Lions including the goalkeeper. The best UNO attempt at the equalizer came in the 87th minute when a Jessica Powers’ shot hit the crossbar and was tipped away by Jordan. The A&M-Commerce defense rose to the occasion and clinched the win.
A&M-Commerce (15-3-3) advances to the second round for the second time in school history. In 1999, in a field of 16, the Lions advanced to the Elite Eight round after winning its first round game.
In the second round, the Lions will face MIAA regular season champion and host Central Missouri at 1 pm. A&M-Commerce has faced UCM in one prior meeting in 2001. In the final regular season NSCAA/adidas Division II rankings, the Jennies are No. 9.
