Stephen F. Austin
Louisiana-Monroe
Owens Lifts SFA Over ULM in Home Opener
9/11/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
SFA 1, ULM 0 
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Senior captain Rachel Owens scored her first goal of the season and the defense recorded the first shutout of the year to give the Stephen F. Austin women's soccer team a 1-0 victory over Louisiana-Monroe in the team's home opener on Friday night at SFA Soccer Field.
It didn't take long for the Ladyjacks (1-5-0) to take control. Owens tidied up a loose ball in front of goal from five yards out in the fourth minute of play. Sophomore forward Hanna Barker initiated the attack, whipping in a cross from the left sideline where Owens was waiting to clean up the rebound off the keeper's hands.
The goal was the ninth during Owens' four-year career and Barker now has five assists as a Ladyjack.
"I'm really proud of our team for coming out and playing so hard tonight," said Owens. "It's been a tough start to the season but we've grown as a team over the last few weeks and tonight is a testament to our resiliency. We were relentless tonight and it feels good to get our first win."
The veteran midfielder made her presence known in the attack early and often on Friday night, finishing with a team-high five shots with three on frame. Owens uncorked a low, line drive strike late in the first half that nearly beat ULM's keeper. She also got her head on a Brooke Dunnigan corner kick in the 28th minute that required a diving save.
Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Lillie Ehlert was solid in goal for the Ladyjacks, picking up four saves and keeping SFA's first clean sheet of the year. Defenders Kelly Ann Craig, Julianna Echavarry, Chantal Curry and Dunnigan each played a full 90 minutes as SFA's last line of defense, helping to preserve the shutout. The unit forced the Warhawks (3-4-1) to settle for shots from long distance for most of the night.
Though one goal was enough to capture the win, the Ladyjacks nearly broke through on several other occasions. Junior midfielder Amanda Doyle connected on a volley at the penalty spot midway through the first half that whizzed inches wide. She took three shots in the game.
Barker and redshirt sophomore forward Carolina Orsi each tested the ULM keeper with shots on target and Madison Hall, Meghan Corder and Crystal Calvit also got shots off during the match. Overall, SFA outshot ULM 13-9 with five cracks on goal.
"We played some really good soccer tonight," said head coach Wally Crittenden. "I thought the speed of play was good. There are some things that we still need to fine tune, but as we really got into a rhythm in the second half we began to impose ourselves in possession while getting numbers forward. I'm just so glad that our players have stayed dedicated to who they are and have continued to push through adversity. I'm excited for our team after tonight's performance."
With the victory, SFA extends its home winning streak to nine games dating back to the beginning of last season. It is the fifth longest active winning streak in the nation. The Ladyjacks will go for their 10th straight on Sunday afternoon when Texas State comes to town for a 1:00 p.m. kick.
-SFA-
Well that didn't take long. Rachel Owens gets her first goal of the season to give SFA the 1-0 lead! #AxeEm http://t.co/rpdm4DIo5m
-- SFA All Access (@SFA_AllAccess) September 12, 2015
