Stephen F. Austin
Sam Houston State
Ladyjacks Open SLC Play With Win
9/27/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 27, 2006
HUNTSVILLE, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack soccer team broke its three-game skid Wednesday by opening Southland Conference play with a 2-0 road win over rival Sam Houston State. The Ladyjacks got a goal apiece from each of their leading scorers -- senior Shahin Pabani and sophomore Amanda Alders -- to move to 5-5-0 overall and 1-0-0 in SLC action.
The Ladyjacks were coming off consecutive losses to Rice, Colorado College and the Air Force Academy -- the program's first three-game losing streak since opening the 2002 season 0-3. SFA head coach Jaime Frias said he knew the early season competition would be stiff, but that the tough sledding early was by design.
"We knew it was going to be a tough non-conference schedule," the coach said, "but the purpose of playing it was to prepare us for the Southland. We feel like it did the job. We were definitely playing faster than Sam Houston today, and I think we were more competitive."
Pabani opened the scoring with her goal in the 22nd minute. Sophomore Lauren Fricks assisted on the play, and Pabani directed a high shot past the Sam Houston goalkeeper to put the Ladyjacks in the lead. The senior took sole possession of the team lead in goals with her fifth score of the year, but not for long. Alders tied her midway through the second half when she took a pass from freshman Erika Palmacci on a breakaway and found the back of the net to set the final score in the 78th minute.
The Ladyjacks played much of the match in Sam Houston's half of the field, outshooting the Bearkats, 17-9. Frias would like to see his team convert more of its shots on goal but said he was pleased with the performance overall.
"We kept possession of the ball well today and did all the little things right," Frias said. "We need to continue to improve when it comes to finishing opportunities."
Jessica Cotton made her third start in net for the Ladyjacks and recorded five saves in picking up her first win of the season.
The Ladyjacks will be back in action Friday when they travel to Conway, Ark. to take on SLC newcomer Central Arkansas. The contest is scheduled for a 4 p.m. start.
-- SFA --
