No. 1 DBU (8-0-1) vs TEXAS A&M - COMMERCE (2-1-0)
March 28 | 7:00 p.m. | Commerce, TX | Lion Soccer Field

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COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF
The No. 1 nationally ranked DBU Women's Soccer team is taking the short trip northeast to Commerce, TX to face off with Lone Star Conference opponent Texas A&M – Commerce on Sunday, March 28th at 7:00 p.m.
 
The Patriots are coming off of a tight match with Oklahoma Christian University on Wednesday that saw DBU and the Lady Eagles draw with a 2-2 score line in Oklahoma City. DBU would dominate possession throughout the entire game, 67% of the match, and keep the ball in the OCU defensive half. The Patriots did a solid job on the day in combining amongst each other and getting into dangerous areas of the field which would allow multiple attackers to see good looks on frame throughout the day. One of these chances would come in the 19th minute of the match when an Ashley Merrill cross would find Delaney Schmidt and bounce off of the bar, Abigail Olmos would be there to put the rebound away to give the Patriots a 1-0 into the half.
 
In the second half, DBU would continue to see good opportunities but would not be able to capitalize on several with OCU goalie Gabby Goodard making multiple good saves. The Lady Eagles would be able to find the net twice in the second half with the 2nd of those goals coming in the 87th minute. The Patriots would respond right away when Ashley Merrill put away her 13th goal of the year and for the 9th straight game found the back of the net.
 
The Patriots would go into overtime and put a tremendous amount of pressure on OCU, controlling possession for 80% of the first half of overtime and 66% of the second. However, DBU was unable to find the net for the golden goal and would leave Oklahoma City for a 2-2 draw.

PATRIOT STORYLINES
 - To continue on the opportunities that DBU would see on the game, the Patriots got into the OCU attacking third 101 times, making it all the way to the penalty box a total of 38. For comparison, OCU made it into their attacking third 17 times, making it all the way to the 18 a total of 4. DBU has been able to get into dangerous areas all season long and Wednesday was not different.

 - The Patriots have scored 32 goals through 9 games – averaging 3.56 goals per game. The Patriots are finding the back of the net at an impressive rate and will look to keep that going through the remainder of the year. DBU has only finished with above a 2.0 GPG rate three times on the season since 2013 (2019, 2015, 2013).

 - DBU has six players on the team that see regular action and have over a .500 shots on goal percentage – Ashley Merrill, Jenna Patterson, Kaci Parks, Marit Auee, Kaleigh Naizer, and Summerlyn Heller. As a team, DBU is averaging a .506 SOG %. This team knows how to find chances and find the frame.

 - The Patriots are excellent at staying organized defensively and when they decide to press, they are excellent at that as well. In the game against the Lady Eagles, DBU was successful on 87% of their 38 defensive presses. This allows DBU to get back on the ball in dangerous areas of the field.
 
- Sophomore Ashley Perez saw good action off of the bench on Wednesday. Perez completed 18 passes throughout the game and was also able to get herself into good positions on the field for her teammates, receiving the ball 29 times with five of those times being inside of the box.

SCOUTING TEXAS A&M - COMMERCE
 - The Lions are currently 2-1 on the 2021 season with their lone loss coming in overtime to West Texas A&M on Friday.

- In 2019, Commerce ended the season with an overall record of 10-8-1 and finished in 7th place in the LSC.

- Lion Head Coach Neil Piper has been on staff in Commerce since 1998. Piper has accumulated a record of 259-144-38 and has led his team to four LSC regular season titles and four LSC tournament titles. The Head Coach has also been named LSC Coach of the Year two times during his career.

- The Lions return 2nd Team All-Conference selections in Leslie Campuzano and Cora Welch. Campuzano has four goals and four assists through the 2021 season thus far.

SERIES HISTORY
DBU is 4-11 all-time against Commerce with the Patriots winning the last meeting by a score of 2-1.

UP NEXT
The Patriots will return back home to Patriot Field to host Texas Woman's University in the regular season finale on Wednesday, March 31st. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.