Ladyjacks Set to Open SLC Play
9/26/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 26, 2006
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack soccer team will try to put the brakes on its three-game losing streak when it opens Southland Conference play with a trio of games this week. SFA (4-5-0) heads to Huntsville, Texas, to take on Sam Houston State Wednesday. The game, originally scheduled to start at 7 p.m., will begin at 4:30. Friday, SFA gets a first look at league newcomer Central Arkansas, when the Ladyjacks travel to Conway, Ark. That contest is set to kick off at 4 p.m. SFA wraps up the week Sunday by hosting another first-year SLC program, Texas-San Antonio. The Roadrunners will visit Nacogdoches for a 2 p.m. start.
Last Week: SFA suffered a pair of losses in Colorado Springs, Colo, falling to Colorado College, 3-2, Friday, then losing, 1-0, at Air Force on Sunday. Defender Jessica Cotton started both games in net, playing in place of injured goalkeepers Francesca Tierno and Crystin Pactor. Freshman Erika Palmacci recorded her first career goal against Colorado College. Sophomore Amanda Alders also scored against the Tigers, notching her fourth goal of the season.
The Opponents: SFA opens conference play with the three most recent additions to the league soccer ranks. Sam Houston State, a fourth-year program, is 2-7 this season. The Bearkats' wins came against Mississippi State and Prairie View A&M. Since Sam's 11-0 over Prairie View, though, the Bearkats are 0-4 and have been outscored, 20-3. Central Arkansas brings a 4-3-1 mark to the week. The Sugar Bears are 3-0-1 at home and have proven to be fast starters this season. UCA has outscored its opponents 15-3 in the first half. The inaugural season of Texas-San Antonio soccer is off to a 3-7-0 start. Despite playing well below .500 to this point, the Roadrunners have been competitive. Their opponents have only managed to outscore them, 23-20, through 10 games. UTSA is winless on the road.
Series Records: SFA is 4-1-0 against Sam Houston, the lone loss coming in the semifinals of last year's Southland Conference Tournament. The Ladyjacks will be meeting Central Arkansas and Texas-San Antonio for the first time.
The Coaches: SFA is coached by second-year head coach Jaime Frias. Frias is 18-9-0 as Ladyjack head coach. Sam Houston is coached by Marcia Oliveira. Central Arkansas is piloted by Tina Banham. The Roadrunners are coached by Steve Ballard.
Next Week: The Ladyjacks will return to the road for a pair of Southland Conference games in Louisiana. SFA takes on McNeese State at 4 p.m. Friday. The Ladyjacks will then head to Natchitoches, La., for a 1 p.m. start against Northwestern State on Sunday.
- SFA -
