Stephen F. Austin
Central Arkansas
Ladyjacks Draw Even With Bears, 1-1
10/9/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
SFA 1, Central Arkansas 1 (2OT)
Bill Stephens Track/Soccer Complex • Conway, Ark.
Records: SFA (5-6-2, 4-0-2 SLC); UCA (6-7-1, 3-2-1 SLC)
Up Next: vs. Nicholls (3-8-1, 1-5-0 SLC) • Friday, Oct. 16 • 7:00 p.m.
CONWAY, Ark. – The Stephen F. Austin women’s soccer team couldn’t put the finishing touches on a Friday night road victory at Bill Stephens Track/Soccer Complex, drawing level with Central Arkansas 1-1 after two overtime periods. The one point in the Southland Conference standings proved pivotal however, as the Ladyjacks tightened their hold on first place after Friday night’s results from around the league.
“I thought we had a good game plan and were able to create the matchups we wanted in the midfield and up top tonight,” said head coach Wally Crittenden. “Overall it was a good game between two spirited teams. You have to credit their goalkeeper as she had a tremendous night and their team as a whole was up for the fight.”
The Ladyjacks controlled the game throughout regulation and their pressure paid off in the 54th minute. After earning a free kick near midfield, Kelly Ann Craig drove a dangerous ball into the box forcing the UCA keeper, Anna Hughes, to come off her line. In a clearance attempt, Hughes punched the ball off one of her own defenders and the deflection bounced in for an own goal.
SFA took the 1-0 advantage into the late stages of the match, but the Bears found an equalizer with just over two minutes to play. Needing a goal to extend the match, UCA’s Stacia Carroll tried a shot from near midfield that skipped off the wet surface in the box and found its way to goal. The bad bounce knotted the game at 1-1, where the score stood through two 10-minute overtime periods.
The Ladyjacks finished the game with a season-high 30 shots, outshooting the Bears 30-20 overall and holding a 14-10 cushion in shots on goal. SFA came out of the halftime break with relentless pressure, earning a 9-1 shot advantage after the first 20 minutes.
After getting a boost in momentum with their late goal, the Bears controlled the first 10 minutes of added time, testing the SFA defense with an 8-1 shot surplus and a 6-1 count in corners. Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper made some big saves in the frame to keep her team in the game. She finished with eight total saves on the night.
The second 10-minute overtime span was all SFA, as the Ladyjacks nearly netted the game-winner on several occasions. SFA got eight looks at goal while preventing UCA from a single attempt.
Sophomore forward Hanna Barker led the ‘Jacks with a career high 11 shots and eight shots on target. Craig, Ashton Norman, Madison Hall, Amanda Doyle and Crystal Calvit each tested the keeper one time to aid in the attack.
“It is disappointing that we dropped two points so late in the game, but we will take a point on the road anytime we can get it,” Crittenden said. “Now we shift our focus to our final two home games of the year. They are games that we will need to execute at a high level to get the points we are searching for to create more separation in the league table. Our kids will be ready as it is Senior Night and we still have everything to play for.”
The Ladyjacks will return home to play two matches from the comforts of their home facilities next weekend, first hosting Nicholls on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. and then playing Southeastern Louisiana on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. SFA’s four seniors will be honored prior to kick on Friday night at SFA Soccer Field.
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