Stephen F. Austin
Lamar
Ladyjacks Hold Off Cardinals in Beaumont
10/2/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
SFA 1, Lamar 0
LU Soccer Complex • Beaumont, Texas
Records: SFA (4-6-1, 3-0-1 SLC); Lamar (6-7-0, 2-2-0 SLC)
Up Next: at McNeese State (4-6-0, 1-3-0 SLC) • Sunday, Oct. 4 • 1:00 p.m.
SFA 1, LU 0 
Photo Gallery
BEAUMONT, Texas – The Stephen F. Austin women’s soccer team used a terrific goal by senior captain Rachel Owens midway through the first half and got stifling defense the rest of the way to beat Lamar University 1-0 on Friday night at the LU Soccer Complex. The Ladyjacks improve to 3-0-1 in Southland Conference play and 4-6-1 overall with the victory and are now in sole possession of first place in the league standings.
Owens sent a no-doubter just inside the left post to open the scoring in the 27th minute. Amanda Doyle started the attack down the right sideline, winning a 50/50 ball and cutting a low liner back across the field. The third runner into the box, Owens crushed a bullet on her first touch that knuckled into the lower left corner, safely out of reach of the LU keeper.
The goal, which proved to be the game-winner, is the second of the season for Owens and the 10th of her career. Doyle was credited with the assist – her second in 2015 – to up her SLC-best point total to 12 after four conference tilts.
SFA put stress on the Lamar backline throughout the first half, outshooting the Cardinals 15-1 over the first 45 minutes of action with a 7-0 advantage in shots on goal.
The second half was more even statistically as the pace of the game quickened. Even with an offensive-minded shift in shape by Lamar out of the halftime break, the Ladyjacks managed to hold on for their second shutout in league play. SFA limited LU to just one shot on goal in the entire game – one that was gobbled up with ease by redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Lillie Ehlert.
SFA finished with a 19-8 surplus in total shots and an 8-1 edge in shots on goal. Sophomore Hanna Barker led the ‘Jacks with six shots – five coming in the first frame. Doyle got two looks on target in three tries and Ashton Norman and Chantal Curry each registered two shots on the night. Overall, ten different Ladyjacks found their way onto the scoresheet in the shot column.
The Ladyjacks got big minutes from their bench on Friday night. Michaela Mencacci, Jasmine White and Crystal Calvit each tested the LU keeper by way of a shot on frame. Calvit nearly put away her first collegiate goal late in the first half on an absolute strike from 25 yards out that was punched over the crossbar.
Curry, Owens, Brooke Dunnigan, Julianna Echavarry, Kelly Ann Craig, Bailey Bosley and Chloe Fowler all contributed to the shutout in predominantly defensive roles throughout the contest, helping Ehlert claim her third shutout of the year.
SFA improves to 10-0-0 all-time against Lamar with Friday’s result and extends its unbeaten streak in conference to 26 games.
The Ladyjacks will look for their fourth straight victory when they travel to Lake Charles, Louisiana on Sunday afternoon for a match against McNeese State. Start time is set for 1:00 p.m.
-SFA-
