Stephen F. Austin
Houston Baptist
HBU Ends SFA's Memorable Run
11/9/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Photo Gallery
BEAUMONT, Texas – The Stephen F. Austin women’s soccer team had their nation-leading overall win streak end at 14 consecutive matches, falling 2-0 to Houston Baptist in the Southland Conference Tournament championship on Sunday afternoon at the Lamar Soccer Complex.
Ellee Hall scored two goals for the Huskies (10-6-5) and tournament MVP Patty Walrath (10-5-4) made nine saves to shutout the Ladyjacks (16-3-1) and earn the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The shutout marks the first loss for SFA since Sunday, Aug. 31, against then No. 25 Arkansas.
After back-and-forth play to open the match, Hall gave HBU a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute off a quick shot in front of senior Morgan Glick (14-3-1) on a pass from Blake Martin. The one goal spanned the remainder of the half, as the Ladyjacks trailed for the first time entering the break since the Arkansas match.
In the second half, Hall again delivered another goal, scissor-kicking a cross from Natalie Hager in the 53rd minute to push the Huskies out 2-0.
The Ladyjacks held a 25-18 mark in shots, but HBU held an 11-9 mark on goal.
SFA's Chelsea Raymond, Christie Hinojosa, Zuri Prince, Megan Dunnigan and Hanna Barker, were all named to the SLC All-Tournament team at the conclusion of the match.
The Ladyjacks will await the NCAA selection committee's verdict Monday as to if their season will continue or not. If SFA is left out of the tournament field, Sunday's game will have put a cap on one of the most successful seasons in program history and mark the end of the Ladyjack careers for seniors Megan Dunnigan, Morgan Glick, Christie Hinojosa, Zuri Prince, Chelsea Raymond and Christa Robinson.
Postgame Quotes
Head coach Wally Crittenden
Crittenden on the loss in the championship game…
“It’s very disappointing, and it stings. Anytime you play your last game of the season, you want to play another one. I thought we did a good job all year, and today included. We created some very dangerous chances, but I thought HBU played really well. Their goalkeeper was tremendous today. I was impressed with the character and the competitive dynamic of our team. We shifted our shape three different times to put us in a more assertive and attacking postures, but we just couldn’t finish. They scored two great goals – one off a set piece and one they ran a play. It’s tough that this is how it ends, because this team is a fantastic team, and I feel it’s a team that can match up with anyone in the country. But ultimately, it is HBU that will represent our conference. I wish them luck.”
Crittenden on what the senior class has meant to this program…
“This senior class is an exceptional class. They’ve definitely left a legacy of success and they’ve put us in a position to be fantastic moving forward. The impact they have left will be measured and felt and appreciated, especially as we move forward beyond this result. It was a fantastic season. Obviously it didn’t end the way we wanted it to end, which was to match up against top teams in the country in the NCAAs, but nonetheless it was a very good season. It will be one they think about and recall how special it was as they move forward.”
-SFA-
