HOUSTON – HCU fell behind in the second minute and never recovered, falling 4-1 to visiting Texas A&M-Commerce on the final date of the regular season at Sorrels Field on Friday evening.
The Huskies (5-9-5, 3-4-3 SLC) went into the finale needing a draw or a win to have a shot at advancing to the Southland Conference Tournament but the loss left them one point shy of eighth place Lamar.
Texas A&M-Commerce (7-9-3, 6-3-1 SLC) got on the board in the second minute when Mindy Shoffit delivered a free kick into the box that was headed on into the bottom right corner of the goal for a quick 1-0 Lions' lead. In the 15
th minute,
Alexa Huerta let loose from long range with her shot clanging off the right post.
Katie Marker and Huerta each had shots on target in the half while
Emmy McKeon registered three saves with the game going into the half at 1-0.
Just over two minutes into the second half, a long throw in into the 18-yard box was bounced around off the heads of Lions and ultimately came down right in front of the goal area where Kaydence Ramirez got an outstretched leg there to redirect the ball into the bottom left corner for a 2-0 TAMUC lead. In the 62
nd minute, a Camila Montero corner kick was headed just inside the left post by Shoffit to put HCU in a 3-0 hole.
Marker put the Huskies on the board in the 70
th minute when a Huerta cross found the senior right in front of the goal where she headed it past the Lions' Veronica Pacione. Sophomore
Olivia Rossman was also credited with an assist on the goal. The Lions pushed their lead back to three just three minutes later when Hannah Bell slotted a shot past McKeon.
Marker's goal is her second of the season and the 15
th of her career. The assists for Huerta and Rossman were their fourth and second of the year, respectively. McKeon finished the night with six saves.
