Stephen F. Austin
Houston
Ladyjacks Knock Off Cougars
9/15/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 15, 2006
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Houston Cougars put Stephen F. Austin on its heels early in Friday's soccer match at the SFA Intramural Complex. But, given a chance to catch their breath at the break, the Ladyjacks turned the tables in a second half and went on to a 4-1 victory. The win is the program's first in four tries against Houston and improves SFA's season record to 4-2-0.
Sophomore goalkeeper Francesca Tierno came up with some key first-half saves, turning away five Houston shots on goal to keep the Ladyjacks in it. Classmate Amanda Alders picked up the slack at the other end of the field, scoring two goals in the second half to record the fourth multi-goal game of her career.
"Fran, in my opinion, kept us in the game and made some big saves, which gave our team a lot of confidence," SFA head coach Jaime Frias said.
Houston lived in SFA's back third of the field in the first half. The Cougars recorded nine shots and took four corner kicks in the opening period, while holding the Ladyjacks to three shots and no corners before the half.
"We've been having problems completing passes when there's no pressure on us," Frias said. "That was our biggest downfall in the first half. In the second half, when we started keeping possession and attacking as a team, that allowed us to get into scoring opportunities and the girls did a good job of finishing the chances that they had tonight."
After a quick breather and a strategy session with Frias at halftime, the Ladyjacks took command in the second half. It didn't take them long. Barely 30 seconds into the second frame, Alders tracked down a long pass from freshman Kelli Wilson down the right sideline and broke away from the defense. She bore down on Houston goalkeeper Shelby Scott and, at the last second, chipped a soft shot over the 'keeper and into the net.
SFA was at it again, barely a minute later. This time it was sophomore transfer Lauren Fricks doing the scoring. She took a pass from classmate Amanda Lackey near the left corner of the Houston 12-yard box and buried a shot in the back of the net to put the Ladyjacks up, 2-0. The goal was Fricks' second of the year.
The Cougars pulled Scott in favor of Lynn Baker, following Fricks' goal, but she would fare no better. Alders posted her second goal of the game and third of the season in the 66th minute when she took another long lead pass from midfield and raced toward the Cougar net. As Baker came out to challenge, Alders flipped the ball past her then leapt over the diving goalkeeper. She outraced a Cougar defender to the ball then flicked it home off the outside of her right foot, scoring easily in the empty net.
"In the first half, our forwards realized that we were faster than their back line, so we took advantage of that in the second half," Frias said. "Our fitness level paid off tonight, especially in the last 30 minutes of the game. Our fresh legs -- what we call our subs -- played outstanding today."
The Ladyjacks got an insurance goal in the 77th minute when senior Mary Surkein scored for the first time this season. The play began with a centering pass from the far right corner by sophomore Summer Bradfield. Senior Jill Robison got a foot on it, and Surkein put the ball in the net from point-blank range on the left side.
With six minutes to play, the Cougars broke up Tierno's bid for her first shutout of the season when Sophia Mundy scored with an assist from Amie Brady. Tierno finished with eight saves total, as she improved her season mark to 3-1-0.
The Ladyjacks will be back in action Sunday, when they host Rice. The Owls are 6-0-1 and on a tear. They have recorded wins over in-state powers TCU and Texas this season. At the time of Rice's 1-0 win over the Longhorns, UT was ranked eighth in the region by Soccer Buzz Magazine and was ranked in the Soccer Buzz National Top 30. Rice came into this week ranked seventh in the Soccer Buzz Central Region poll.
"Rice is one of the best teams in our region, right now," Frias said. "They're hot, and they're going to be a very competitive group to play against."
Sunday's game is set for a 2 p.m. start at the SFA Intramural Complex.
-- SFA --
