Stephen F. Austin
SELA
Lions Nip Ladyjacks
10/17/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 17, 2010
HAMMOND, La. - Southeastern Louisiana got a late goal Sunday to edge Stephen F. Austin 2-1, handing the Ladyjacks their first defeat in 11 contests.
The loss is SFA's first in Southland Conference play and marks the Ladyjacks' first defeat since a 2-1 overtime loss against UTEP on Sept. 3. SFA moves to 11-4-1 overall and 4-1-1 in conference play, while Southeastern Louisiana improves to 10-3-2 on the year and 3-1-1 in the Southland.
"Both teams played very hard today," SFA head coach Tony Amato said. "It is a tough result because we created some good scoring chances and felt like we could have won the game. Credit Southeastern for scoring twice. We have to learn from the game and move forward to Friday."
Southeastern opened the scoring in the 39th minute, when Lauren Stillians connected on a goal off a free kick by Natalie Santana.
The shot was just the second on goal for the Lions and only their third of the first half. SFA outshot Southeastern, 8-3, in the opening period with five shots on goal but couldn't connect.
Kim Kimmel changed that early in the second frame. Her first shot of the period was wide, but she found the net in the 54th minute to tie the score at one. Kylie Louw started the play when she beat a defender and penetrated up the middle. She dropped the ball off to Kimmel on the right flank, and she finished from short range for her sixth goal of the year.
The score stayed knotted until the 72nd minute, when Southeastern's Kerry McWhirter took a pass from teammate Karly Dagys and scored from point-blank range. Maiya Cooper started the play with penetration on the left flank. She served a cross to Dagys on the far side. Dagys tapped the ball in to McWhirter for the goal.
SFA took four shots down the stretch and had three corner kick opportunities in the final three minutes but was unable to tie the score.
For the game, the Ladyjacks outshot Southeastern, 15-6, with a 7-4 advantage in shots on goal. SFA goalkeeper Courtney Bauder (10-4-1) recorded two saves in the loss.
The defeat leaves the Ladyjacks one game short of matching the best unbeaten streak in program history. SFA won 11 straight contests in 2005.
The Ladyjacks will be back in action Friday when they take on Sam Houston State in a road game. The matchup with the Bearkats is set for a 7 p.m. start.
-- SFA --
