Stephen F. Austin
Central Arkansas
Ladyjacks Take Senior Day Win
11/1/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Nov. 1, 2009
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NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin took a 1-0 win over Central Arkansas Sunday to hold steady in the Southland Conference standings and finish in a second-place tie for the second straight year. The senior day win assured the Ladyjacks of the No. 3 seed in next week's Southland Conference Tournament in Natchitoches, La.
SFA set a new season-high for the third consecutive game with 36 shots attempted, but the only goal scored in the contest was an own-goal by Central Arkansas in the ninth minute. With the Bears held to just four shots, the one goal was enough for SFA (9-8-1, 6-2-1 SLC).
"It wasn't the prettiest game in the world, but I was happy to see us continue to attack until the final minute of the game," SFA head coach George Van Linder said.
The win leaves the Ladyjacks tied with Southeastern Louisiana for second place in the conference. By virtue of the Lions' head-to-head win over SFA, they earned the tiebreaker edge and the No. 2 seed in the Southland Tournament. The Ladyjacks will open tournament play Thursday afternoon against No. 6 McNeese State.
Sunday's game-winning goal was scored by a Central Arkansas player trying to break up a nice SFA combo. Junior Kim Kimmel sent a nice crossing pass through the box for senior Megan Cash, who was streaking in unmarked from the left side. With Cash staring down an empty net, a Bears player slid in front of the play and inadvertently knocked the ball across the end line.
The Ladyjacks kept on the attack, posting 12 first-half shots and 24 after the break. Cash led all players with 10 attempts, eight of which were on goal. Freshman Kylie Louw attempted eight shots. Seniors Kelli Wilson and Brenna Crockett fired three shots each.
For the game, SFA posted 17 shots on goal to one for UCA (7-11-1, 1-8-0 SLC).
"Sometimes it can be emotionally difficult to stay focused for your last game at home, but I thought all three seniors did a good job, as expected," Van Linder said.
Cash, Wilson and Crockett were honored in a brief ceremony following the conclusion of Sunday's game. The three seniors have been a part of 40 wins, a Southland Conference championship and an NCAA Tournament berth in their time at SFA.
The Ladyjacks' Southland Tournament game against McNeese is scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. start Thursday. The victor will move on to meet No. 2 Southeastern Louisiana in the semifinals Friday afternoon. The other first-round game will pit No. 4 Sam Houston State against No. 5 UTSA with the winner slated to take on No. 1 Texas State Friday night.
-- SFA --
