SFA Wins Lady Indian Invitational
9/4/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 4, 2005
JONESBORO, Ark. - Shahin Pabani scored two goals to lead the SFA Ladyjack soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Arkansas State Sunday to win the Lady Indian Invitational. The victory was SFA's third straight and improved the Ladyjacks' record to 3-1-0.
Pabani, a junior forward, led SFA in goals a year ago and is on pace to do so again. Her two goals Sunday propelled her into the forefront with three scores for the season. The goals couldn't have come at a better time.
Arkansas State took an early lead when Mary Jo Rana scored in the contest's 23rd minute. But Pabani answered just nine minutes later with a goal off a free kick from the top of the box.
"We started off slow," head coach Jaime Frias said. "We went down 1-0, but we managed to tie the game up. I think we did an outstanding job of really pressing them in the second half and causing turnovers near their goal."
It didn't take long for the aggressive play to pay dividends. Barely 10 minutes into the second half, Pabani found the net again, this time with an assist from sophomore defender Keyli Townsend.
The Ladyjacks continued to hold the action to the Lady Indian half of the field, and Pabani's second goal proved to be the game-winner. She was named tournament MVP for her performance. Three other Ladyjacks -- Townsend, senior defender Kim Gray and sophomore forward Kristel Lindsey -- were named to the all-tournament team.
"It was a great team effort and a great team win," Frias said. "The girls showed perseverance and a willingness to compete for wins. They're a competitive group. It's going to be very hard to beat these girls as they mature."
SFA will return to action Friday, when the Ladyjacks head to Houston for a 7 p.m. match against Rice. Two days later, SFA will meet the University of Houston in a 5 p.m. contest.
-- SFA --
