Zias fall to TAMU-Commerce, 2-1
Second half rally not enough for victory

PORTALES, N.M. — The Eastern New Mexico women’s soccer team (5-5-0, 1-1-0 Lone Star Conference) fell at the hands of Texas A&M University-Commerce on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2-1. The Zias got on the board late in the game, but could not get the equalizer in the closing minutes.

TAMU got a pair of first half goals off corner kicks, both scored by Tiffany Adams. The first came 27:35 into the contest, when Adams headed the ball into the left side of the net past ENMU goalkeeper Amanda Vanlandingham (Fr., GK, Hobbs, NM/Hobbs HS). Adams scored her second of the contest late in the half at 41:50, again on a header. Erin de Wolfe assisted on both Commerce goals.

The Zias got on the board late in the contest, with Lauren Standefer (Fr., F, Tularosa, NM/Alamogordo HS) notching her second goal of the season at 82:51. Megan Dozier (So., F, Midland, TX/Midland HS) cut in along the left hand side, going around the defender, and centered the ball to Standefer. Standefer missed the initial header, but followed up the play and put the ball past A&M goalie Amber Ramoz to the far side. The Zias continued to put pressure on the visitors, but could not get another goal past Ramoz.

ENMU had a golden opportunity to take a 1-0 lead at 24:35, when Dozier took a beautiful shot from 35 yards out, but the shot was just high, glancing off the crossbar and over the net.

The Lions outshot the Zias 21-6 in the contest, getting 11 shots on goal to Eastern’s four. Vanlandingham made six saves in the first half, allowing the two goals, and Stephanie Sanchez (Fr., GK, Belen, NM/Belen HS) came in for the second half and made three saves. Ramoz got the win, making three saves in the process.

The Zias are in action again next weekend when they play host to Adams State University on Friday, Oct. 1 at 1 p.m. and against St. Gregory’s University on Saturday, Oct. 2 at 2 p.m. Both games will be played at the ENMU Soccer Field.