Tigers Shutout SFA in Season Opener
8/31/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 31, 2002
NACOGDOCHES - The Nicole Nelson era officially got underway at Homer Bryce Stadium Saturday night as the Ladyjacks squared off against Louisiana State. LSU shutout the Ladyjacks, 2-0, in a hard fought battle.
It was a defensive struggle in the first half that saw the score knotted in a 0-0 tie heading into the intermission, due in large part to freshman Natascia Michalezki (Calgary, Alberta). The Tigers outshot SFA, 16-2 in the first half, but Michalezki was up to the challenge as she stonewalled every shot. The Ladyjacks were slowed offensively in the first half, taking only two shots.
It was more of the same in second half, as the defenses controlled the tempo of the game, but the Tigers broke the scoreless tie when LSU's Mandy Heintz scored on a corner kick from teammate Laura Klatter in the 73rd minute. LSU put the game on ice when the Tigers Suzanne Drake scored on an unassisted goal from point-blank range.
"I'm very pleased with the way our girls came out and executed the game plan," said first-year head coach Nicole Nelson. "We played hard for 90 minutes. LSU is a good team with great speed all over the field but we made them earn their two goals. I'm ecstatic with the way our freshman came out and made the adjustments to the college level. They did not play like it was there first college game."
The Ladyjacks return to action Tuesday Sept. 3, as they travel to Denton, Texas, to take on North Texas. The game is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.
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