Stephen F. Austin
SMU
Late Goal By SMU Spoils SFA Comeback In Opener
8/22/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 22, 2011
DALLAS, Texas - A game-winning goal in the 87th minute by SMU's Amelia Ambrose broke a 1-1 tie and spoiled a valiant comeback from the Ladyjacks in the season opener as the Mustangs defeated SFA 2-1 Monday evening at Westcott Field.
Ambrose's goal came just eight minutes after SFA was finally able to capitalize in the 79th minute, when reigning junior SLC Co-Player of the Year Kylie Louw dribbled past a defender off a corner kick and found Breanne Vernon in front of the net for the team's first goal of the season and the fourth of her career.
"It took us the first half to get up to the pace of the game," SFA head coach Tony Amato said. "We fought back to get the game 1-1 on a well-worked goal. We will use this performance to get better and put together a full 90 minutes Friday."
Louw moved into sixth place all-time in school history with 42 points, tying Kim Kimmel's mark.
SFA actually outshot SMU 13-10 and both teams had six shots on goal.
SMU (1-1) got on the scoreboard in the 18th minute when Mallory Baum blasted a shot from nearly 25 yards out past the outstretched arms of a diving Lacey Lee for a 1-0 Mustangs lead.
The Ladyjacks (0-1) had a chance nearly eight minutes later to tie the game but Vernon's shot sailed just high over the net. Laura Sadler also had an opportunity to knot up the score in the 37th minute but a lunging save from Courtney Webb prevented the tying goal.
After the first 45 minutes of action, SFA led in shots attempted (8-4) but were unable to push one past the Mustangs' defense and trailing 1-0.
Sadler fired a second shot on goal in the opening minutes of the second half but was once again denied by Webb after Sadler had raced past two defenders along the backline.
Freshman Chelsea Raymond nearly tied the score 1-1 in the 75th minute but Webb was up for the challenge and converted her fifth and final save of the evening.
Sadler led the team with three shots at night's end, all of which were on goal. Melissa Gaudet Becky Johnson, Louw and Vernon all had two shots a piece. Lee, who took the loss for SFA, had three saves on the night.
The Ladyjacks return to the pitch on Friday, Aug. 26 at Tulsa at 7:35 p.m., followed by the road three-game road trip finale against Oral Roberts on Sunday at 1 p.m. SFA will welcome UTEP on Friday, Sept. 2 for the Ladyjacks home opener.
--SFA--
