Stephen F. Austin
Nicholls
Second Effort Trips up SFA into 1-0 Loss
10/14/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
THIBODAUX, La. – Stephen F. Austin went to Thibodaux, La. this Friday to match up against the Nicholls Colonels. The match would have to dwindle into the last few minutes of play before a double effort from the Colonels would connect into the goal. The Ladyjacks had many opportunities, but could not find the angle they needed. Junior Hanna Barker would lead the Ladyjacks with six shots, three of those on goal. Senior Hailey Hunt would follow with five shots on the night, and senior Amanda Doyle had three.
“First off, you have to credit Nicholls State. They came out focused and prepared to defend and make it really difficult around their goal,” said Head Coach Wally Crittenden. “That being said, our kids did some good things and were able to get into very dangerous areas that usually are converted for goals.”
At the start of play, SFA was back in their groove of striking hard and fast. Not five minutes had gone by and Barker and Hunt had already attacked the net. Hunt would get a second shot off in the 14th minute, which would force the Colonels goalie to make the first save of the night. With the added help of sophomore Bailey Bosley, the Ladyjacks would complete the half with seven shots, three of them on goal. The SFA defense would shutout the Colonels in the first 45 minutes, not allowing them to get a shot at the net.
After the intermission, the ball play would stay neutral until sophomore Breanna Moore would get a good shot at the 62:27 minute mark, but it would be blocked by the defense. SFA would then try three more times within a minute and 20 second spread, but the ball would keep bouncing everywhere but in. Nicholls would get their first shot of the night off at the 66th minute mark, but it would go wide. The clock would wind down into four minutes left in regulation, when Nicholls would fire a shot on senior Lillie Ehlert. Ehlert would receive the first save, but the ball would ricochet back out and Nicholls would sink it on the second effort. The Ladyjacks would try to answer back with two shots on goal, but one would go wide and the other would be saved.
Stephen F. Austin would complete the night outshooting the Colonels 17-5 with 6-2 shots on goal. The Nicholls goalie Roosa Hurmerinta would have six saves and SFA’s Ehlert would have one save on the night.
“Today, we didn’t convert and in the end, they were able to score,” finished Crittenden. “It is a disappointing result for sure, but we have high character players and good coaches and I expect us all to respond and come out strong on Sunday vs. SELA.”
SFA will be back in action on Sunday afternoon when they take on Southeastern Louisiana in Hammond. Opening kick is set for 1:00 p.m.
-SFA-
