The TWU soccer team enters this week’s Lone Star Conference tournament with plenty of momentum and confidence, and with reasonable expectations to compete for the title.

After finishing with a 6-1-1 record in their last eight regular-season games, the Pioneers (8-8-1) will face No. 6 seed Texas A&M-Commerce at noon Thursday in Canyon.

A win would put TWU in the semifinals on Friday against second seed Central Oklahoma, which the Pioneers defeated 2-0 on the road on Sunday.

In fact, TWU has defeated each of the top two seeds in the league tournament this season. It also beat top seed and tournament host West Texas A&M, 2-1 in overtime, on Oct. 12. It was one of only two losses in 17 games for WTAMU this season.

One of TWU’s three conference losses, however, came to TAMU-C in the LSC opener on Sept. 29. The Pioneers lost 1-0 in Commerce.

TWU has drawn the Lions in each of their three appearances in the LSC tournament dating back to 2005. Both of the previous meetings went to penalty kicks, with TWU advancing in 2005 and TAMU-C in 2007.

“We have their number. They have our number. It’s our turn to win,” said TWU head coach Fleur Benatar. “Everybody’s really happy. We’re really confident, and confidence plays a big part.”

Seniors playing well

TWU has only two seniors on its roster, and both have been instrumental during the Pioneers’ recent hot streak.

Chastity Hayter has recovered from an injury earlier this season to score a team-high five goals, all of which came in the final five games of the regular season.

“She understands what’s at stake,” Benatar said. “She’s just turned it on mentally.”

Jacqueline Horner, a former Denton standout, has keyed the TWU defense this season after moving from her customary center midfield position.

“Jac has taken on every challenge that’s come her way,” Benatar said. “Our defensive efforts have been tremendous.”

Defense leads the way

As usual for a TWU team, defense has been the catalyst for the Pioneers’ success. During conference play, however, TWU has been superb in the back.

Led by junior goalkeeper Nori Morgan, the Pioneers did not allow more than one goal in any of their 10 conference games. They had five shutouts in 10 conference games, and tied for the league lead with only five goals allowed in LSC play.

Morgan has four shutouts in TWU’s last five games, which allowed her to receive the LSC Goalkeeper of the Week honor in consecutive weeks. She has a goals-against average of 1.04 this season to go with 91 saves.

Basketball

Pioneers set to face UNT

TWU will play its first of two exhibition games on Thursday, when the Pioneers travel across town to face North Texas at the Super Pit.

The game will give TWU head coach Beth Jillson an opportunity to see her team face an opponent for the first time this season. And for the TWU players, it will be a chance to play against a Division I foe.

“They’re just champing at the bit to play somebody besides themselves,” Jillson said. “Anytime we get to play a Division I team, we think it’s a great challenge and gets us ready for our season. It’s a great way to prepare our team.”

The Pioneers hung tough with UNT before falling 85-77 in an exhibition a year ago. Jillson said the TWU players won’t be playing as though the game doesn’t count in the standings.

“We’re both playing to win,” Jillson said. “They know a lot of the players over there. That probably adds to the hype a little bit. I just think it’s a great way for the fans to see quality basketball in Denton for the first time.”

At the game, both teams will be collecting donations and pledges for the respective schools’ chapters of Fellowship of Christian Athletes throughout the arena.

The Pioneers’ home exhibition game against LeTourneau has been moved from Nov. 10 to Nov. 11. It will begin at 7 p.m. at Kitty Magee Arena.

Volleyball

TWU stumbles on road

The Pioneers dropped their final two road matches of the season over the weekend, falling in three sets to Cameron (Okla.) and five sets to Midwestern State.

TWU (14-16, 4-7) heads into the final weekend of the regular season in danger of missing the LSC tournament for the first time since 2002. That also is the most recent season the Pioneers finished with a sub-.500 record in league play.

TWU needs two wins at home this weekend — against Southeastern Oklahoma State on Thursday and East Central (Okla.) on Saturday — to have a chance at qualifying for the tournament this year. Even then, they will need help from other teams.

The Pioneers have lost seven of their last nine matches overall, with a roster hindered by a team-wide bout of the flu for much of that stretch.

“We played hard, but it just wasn’t a good week for TWU volleyball,” said TWU head coach Shelly Barberee. “We still want to finish strong and hopefully get a chance to be in the tournament.”

TODD JORGENSON can be reached at 940-566-6871. His e-mail address is tjorgenson@dentonrc.com .