Stephen F. Austin
Mcneese State
Ladyjacks Blank McNeese
10/4/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 4, 2009
LAKE CHARLES, La. - Freshman forward Laura Sadler's goal in the 52nd minute Sunday proved to be the game-winner for Stephen F. Austin, as the Ladyjacks picked up a 1-0 road win on a rain-soaked pitch at McNeese State's Cowgirl Field. The victory brings SFA within a win of evening its overall record (5-6-0) and improves the Ladyjacks to 2-0-0 in Southland Conference play.
With Sunday's win coming on the heels of Friday's 2-1 decision at Lamar, SFA has now opened Southland play with consecutive road victories in back-to-back years.
"This was a great win on the road," SFA head coach George Van Linder said. "McNeese is a traditional power in the SLC, so to get a win on the road today is fantastic."
After a wet and scoreless first half, the action picked up quickly in the second period. Junior Kim Kimmel recorded a shot on goal two minutes into the half then earned a penalty kick in the 48th minute, but McNeese goalkeeper Ashley Rudd came up with the save.
A Cowgirl foul gave possession back to SFA, and Kimmel was quickly back on the attack. She dribbled into space at the top of the 18-yard box and spied Sadler streaking in from the right side. Kimmel slipped a pass between two defenders, and Sadler ran onto the ball, tucking a low shot underneath Rudd and inside the far post for her second goal of the season. The game-winning goal marks the first of Sadler's career.
Following the scoring strike, McNeese managed just two shots on goal the rest of the way, and SFA's Courtney Bauder was in position for both to record her second shutout of the season and the ninth of her career. Bauder (4-5-0) recorded six saves, one off the season-high of seven she posted in Friday's win.
The Ladyjacks were aggressive from the opening kick, with senior Megan Cash taking a shot in the game's first 14 seconds and SFA earning two corner kicks in the first two minutes. The Ladyjacks took six first-half corner kicks and finished with an 8-4 edge in that statistic. For the game, SFA fired a season-high 27 shots, nearly doubling the 14 McNeese put up. The Ladyjacks finished with a 10-6 advantage in shots on goal.
Kimmel led the way with eight shots, four of which were on target, while Cash fired off six shots. Two of Sadler's four shots found their mark.
Sunday's win gives SFA back-to-back victories for the first time all season. The Ladyjacks will look to make it three in a row Friday, when they host Nicholls in the first of three consecutive home games. The game against the Colonels is set for a 7 p.m. start from the SFA Soccer Complex.
-- SFA --
