Stephen F. Austin
Texas State
Ladyjacks Knock Off Texas State
10/29/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 29, 2010
Box Score | Postgame Interview
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin got a first-half goal from Kim Kimmel, and freshman goalkeeper Lacey Lee put up her second shutout of the season Friday as the Ladyjacks netted a must-win 1-0 verdict against Texas State.
The win broke a fourth-place tie in the league standings between the two teams and kept SFA's hopes for a share of the Southland Conference title alive. The Ladyjacks are 12-5-1 on the year and 5-2-1 in league play heading into Sunday's regular-season finale. The loss dropped Texas State to 10-7-1 overall with a 4-3-1 mark in conference action.
"I thought we started the game very well," SFA head coach Tony Amato said. "The girls came out and we got forward created chances. We were very happy with going up one-nil. We didn't find a way to get the second goal in the first half but we were pleased with how our attack went, and the girls really executed everything we did in training all week."
Kimmel's goal came in the 11th minute on a breakaway that started near midfield with a strong run by Laura Sadler. Sadler pushed into the Texas State backfield, then played a nice ball ahead through the defense. The pass caught Kimmel in stride, and she outran her defender before beating Bobcat goalkeeper Natalie Gardini, one-on-one.
The goal is Kimmel's seventh of the season, moving her into a tie with Jordan King and Kylie Louw for the team lead.
At the other end of the field, Lee (2-1-0) turned in a fin performance in her second start of the year. She turned away two shots on goal early in the game and smothered several other scoring chances for the Bobcats by pouncing on loose balls and crosses.
"We didn't feel like she was maybe ready early in the year," Amato said of Lee. "She's been working hard and playing well of late and we wanted to give her a shot and knew that she would respond. We had confidence in her, and she had confidence in herself tonight, and it paid off."
The SFA back line of Jordyn Young, Kelli Barnes, Edwina Forbes and Kelsey Allen played all 90 minutes and held the Bobcats without a shot on goal in the second half.
For the game, the Ladyjacks finished with an 11-10 edge in total shot attempts.
SFA will finish off the regular season Sunday with a 1 p.m. home match against UTSA. The Roadrunners come into the contest tied with Southeastern Louisiana for the Southland lead with a 6-1-1 league record. The Ladyjacks can snag a piece of the league title with a win over UTSA and a Southeastern Louisiana loss to Northwestern State.
"It's going to be tough," Amato said of Sunday's game. "They're a very good team. They have some international players that can cause problems. We'll enjoy the win tonight, but we're going to regroup tomorrow and know that it's going to be tough on Sunday."
-- SFA --
