Stephen F. Austin
Northwestern State
Ladyjacks Smother Demons
10/8/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 8, 2006
NATCHITOCHES, La. - Francesca Tierno's fifth win of the season will likely go down as the easiest victory of her career. The sophomore goalkeeper didn't face a single shot on goal as part of a smothering defensive effort by the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack soccer team in Sunday's 1-0 victory at Northwestern State. The Ladyjacks only allowed the Demons one shot the entire game, and SFA freshman Jessica Huggins' goal late in the second half stood up as the game-winner.
The victory is the Ladyjacks' second straight after stumbling to a 1-2 start in Southland Conference play. With the two victories this weekend, SFA succeeded in knocking off two teams -- McNeese State and Northwestern State -- that stood ahead of the Ladyjacks in the SLC standings when the week began. The Demons were 3-0 in conference play and tied for the league lead coming into Sunday's contest. With the win, SFA improved to 7-7-0 on the season and 3-2-0 against SLC competition, tightening their grasp on the No. 3 slot in the conference standings.
SFA dictated the pace of play in Sunday's showdown, keeping the ball in the Northwestern (8-6-1, 3-1-0) half of the field. The Ladyjacks launched 15 shots -- seven on goal -- against the lone offensive attack provided by Northwestern State. The Ladyjacks earned five corner kicks on the afternoon, while allowing the Demons just one. Huggins' goal came in the 79th minute and was unassisted. It was the first goal of her career. Tierno didn't record a single save in moving to 5-4-0 on the season.
The Ladyjacks will try to climb higher in the league standings Thursday, when they host Southland-leading Southeastern Louisiana in the first of four home contests to close the regular season. The game is set for a 7 p.m. start. The Lady Lions were undefeated in conference action heading into their game Sunday at Texas State.
-- SFA --
