Ladyjacks Open Conference with Win
9/30/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 30, 2005
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack soccer team kicked off Southland Conference play with a victory Friday night. The Ladyjacks drew first blood, then held on for a 2-1 victory over Texas State at the SFA Intramural Complex.
Freshmen Stephanie Prentice and Amanda Alders scored second-half goals, and the Ladyjack defense, paced by seven saves from senior goalkeeper Natascia Michalezki, turned away 10 of 11 Texas State shots in the final frame to seal the win.
The victory improved SFA's record to 7-3 on the season and 1-0 in SLC action, while Texas State fell to 3-8 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
The two teams played dead even in the first half and went to the break in a scoreless tie. Each squad recorded five first-half shots with three shots on goal. Michalezki turned in a brilliant save in the 38th minute to ensure the score stayed tied.
Texas State's speedy forward Natalie Jackson got behind the SFA defense on a breakaway and bore down on Michalezki. The Ladyjack keeper came out to challenge her near the top of the goal box and smothered a low shot from point blank range with a sprawling save.
SFA got on the board early in the second half. Prentice won a free ball in front of the Texas State net and chipped a high shot toward the goal. Bobcat keeper Paige Perriraz leapt and batted the ball, but it deflected off the cross bar and into the goal. The goal was Prentice's first of the season and gave the Ladyjacks a 1-0 lead in the 51st minute.
Six minutes later, SFA added some insurance and what would prove to be the game-winning goal. Freshman Summer Bradfield sent a centering pass from the right corner toward classmate Megan Spitzmueller. Spitzmueller quickly flicked the ball over to the left side, where Amanda Alders was waiting. The freshman headed the ball past Perriraz for her team-leading sixth goal of the season.
Texas State notched its only goal in the 67th minute when Angela Crissy made a run on Michalezki and dodged to the keeper's left before nudging a shot into the open net.
But SFA stonewalled the rest of the Bobcats' attacks to preserve the win. Michalezki earned the decision to improve her record to 6-3.
The Ladyjacks will return to action on Friday, Oct. 7, when they head to Hammond, La. to take on Southeastern Louisiana. The match is set for a 4:30 p.m. start.
-- SFA --
