Stephen F. Austin
Utah State
Utah State Holds Off SFA
8/30/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 30, 2009
EL PASO, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack soccer team found itself chasing an early goal Sunday against Utah State and was simply unable to catch up in a 3-2 loss in its final game in the UTEP Miner Classic.
Despite an advantage in shots attempted and two second half goals, the Ladyjacks fell to 1-2-0 on the season. With the win, the Aggies imiproved to 3-0-0.
"We led in absolutely every category of stats except the most important one," SFA head coach George Van Linder said. "This one hurt, 'cause we played so well against a quality team.
"Still, we failed in some minor things, and that was the difference. We have plenty of quality opponents in the future, and if we can take care of these details, we can walk away much happier than we are now."
For the second time in as many games, SFA fell behind early, as Utah State notched a goal in the game's first minute. Erin Salmon fired a high shot from 25 yards out to put the Aggies up, 1-0, just 56 seconds into the contest.
The Ladyjacks out-shot Utah State, 9-2, over the first half's remaining 44 minutes, but the score stood 1-0 at halftime.
SFA opened the second half with two shots on goal in the first six minutes, then tied the score in the 66th minute, when senior Megan Cash knocked home her second goal of the weekend. Cash took advantage of a miscue by Utah State goalkeeper Molli Merrill that left her an empty net.
The Aggies answered eight minutes later, when Heather Pond converted a corner kick by heading a bouncing shot past SFA's Courtney Bauder. Utah State took a 3-1 lead in the 80th minute, when Lauren Hansen headed home a crossing pass from Shantel Flanary.
The Ladyjacks pulled to within a goal with less than three minutes to play when junior Kim Kimmel dribbled in close and beat Merrill for her second goal of the season. But time ran out on the SFA comeback, as the Ladyjacks were unable to get off another shot.
SFA finished with an 18-11 edge in shots taken and a 10-7 advantage in shots on goal. Each team lined up four corner kicks in the contest.
Bauder (1-2-0) posted four saves with three goals allowed in 85 minutes of action. Kimmel and Cash took a team-high three shots apiece, with each player landing two shots on goal.
The Ladyjacks will return to action Friday, when they host Rice in their first home game of the season. The contest is set for a 7 p.m. start from the SFA Soccer Complex.
-- SFA --
