The Eastern New Mexico News - Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Staff report

COMMERCE, Texas — Vicky Back and Savannah Henderson scored first-half goals and Texas A&M-Commerce made them stand up for a 3-1 victory over Eastern New Mexico University in the Lone Star Conference women’s soccer opener for both teams on Friday night.

Back scored on a header in the box in the ninth minute while Henderson made it 2-0 with her seventh goal of the season about three minutes before halftime.

The Zias (3-4) cut the margin in half when senior defender Victoria Perez scored just over five minutes into the second half, beating Lions goalkeeper Courtnie Northern to the far post to give her three consecutive matches with a goal. But the Lions (6-2) countered about two minutes later and blanked ENMU the rest of the way.

Northern didn’t make any other mistakes, posting eight saves as the Zias outshot Commerce 9-8 on goal.

Perez is now eighth on the ENMU career points list with 22, and tied for sixth in career goals at nine with Maurisa Jones and Brook Serrano.

ENMU returns to action on Sunday with a 1 p.m. (MDT) conference matchup at Texas Woman’s.