Stephen F. Austin
Nicholls State
Ladyjacks Claim 10th Straight, Down Nicholls 3-1
10/19/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
THIBODAUX, Louisiana - Senior forward Chelsea Raymond recorded her first multi-goal match of the season, as the Stephen F. Austin women's soccer team picked up their 10th straight victory in a 3-1 triumph of Nicholls on Sunday afternoon at the Nicholls Soccer Complex.
"It is great to get out of here with the result on the final road trip of the regular season," head coach Wally Crittenden said. "On a hot day in a very tough environment, our kids responded to score some great goals off of some really good attacks. Above the three that counted, we scored two additional goals and had some very near misses. I was very pleased with our attack against a really organized and motivated Nicholls team. Defensively we got better as the game went on and the goal we gave up was really unfortunate.
"Bottom line is that we have done enough to win a championship on Friday night, at home, in front of the homecoming bonfire and our spirited fans. There will be tremendous energy as we head into that match against Central Arkansas. Our kids will be ready to put it all together and showcase their abilities in what will be another big opportunity."
The Ladyjacks (12-2-1, 8-0 SLC), with their win over NICH (7-7, 3-4 SLC), tied SFA's 2012 team for the third-best win streak in program history at 10 consecutive. With three games remaining in the regular season, the Ladyjacks trail only the 2005 (11 straight wins) and the 2011 (13 straight wins) squads.
SFA, for a second straight game, capitalized on the momentum from the team's first goal to quickly strike for a second. After 19 minutes of scoreless play, Raymond gave the Ladyjacks a 1-0 lead on a deep ball, her seventh goal of the season, before sophomore Hailey Hunt added her first of the year just 46 seconds later. Raymond, aiding on Hunt's goal, picked up the 15th assist of her career to move into a three-way tie for fourth place all-time in program history.
SFA's 2-0 advantage didn't last long though, as Colonel Hannah Savoie beat goalkeeper Morgan Glick (10-2-1) on a deep, curving shot in the 23rd minute to pull NICH within one.
After taking a 2-1 lead into halftime, Raymond added her second goal of the match, pushing a cross from freshman Hanna Barker over Colonel keeper Taylor Mosley (3-6) in the 61st minute to retake a two-goal edge. The second goal marked the first multi-goal match of the season for the native of Irving, Texas, and the ninth of her career, as she took over the team lead with eight goals on the season.
Glick picked up her eighth consecutive win for the Ladyjacks, making nine saves, with five coming in the second period, across the full 90 minutes in the net.
SFA, having closed out its road schedule 6-1-1, will now return to Nacogdoches, playing its final three matches of the regular season at the SFA Soccer Field. The Ladyjacks will open their final homestand on Friday, hosting Central Arkansas at 7 p.m. With a win, SFA will clinch no worse than a share of the Southland Conference regular season title, marking an unprecedented four-peat.
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