Stephen F. Austin
Lamar
Goal from Doyle Keeps the Drive Alive
9/30/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
NACOGDOCHES, Texas- You know fall is here when the air gets a little cooler and the ball play a little hotter. The Ladyjacks took on the Lamar Cardinals on Friday night. The Cardinals did their homework well and kept the Ladyjacks in check, making it a low scoring game. SFA’s defense was once again the backbone of the team as they kept a team who averages 10 shots a game, to two shots.
“All in all, a good night,” said Head Coach Wally Crittenden. “I was very pleased at our shape shifting and run of play adjustments. Lamar was very well prepared to defend us tonight and I thought their keeper was big time. Give them credit as they came ready to play. On the other end, to limit them to two shots, both of which were in the first half, while still stretching ourselves in the attack is really good.”
The duo of junior Hanna Barker and senior Amanda Doyle were at it again tonight. Barker connected to Doyle in the 48th minute to take the lead for the Ladyjacks. The assist from Barker would make an even total of six on the season, her new career high record. The goal would be Doyle’s third on the season.
Play on the ball would not truly take shape until the 12th minutes with a shot from sophomore Breanna Moore. It would take a header shot from Doyle in the 26:36 minute mark to make Lamar’s goalie take diving action. SFA then won a free kick about 36 yards out in the 35th minute, which then Junior Madison Hall would punch a laser right to the net. It had the distance but was a little too wide left. The Ladyjacks would top off the end of the first half with a Barker shot from 30 yards out that would force the Lamar goalie to make another diving save.
After the intermission, the pair, Barker and Doyle, would work their magic and connected for SFA’s only goal of the night at the 48:51 minute mark. SFA would go on and try to score three more times before the end of play. The Cardinals would not get a chance at the goal in the second half, thanks to the Stephen F. Austin defensive line.
Senior Lillie Ehlert played for her seventh win tonight in the goal for the Ladyjacks. She had to make one save on the night from Lamar’s two shots. SFA outshot the Cardinals 12-2, forcing the Lamar goalie to make eight saves.
“Tonight was a good balanced match that we managed very well. Proud of our kids’ maturity and patience in possession for sure,“ finished Crittenden.
The Ladyjacks are now 4-0 in conference play, and after tonight’s matches around the conference, the undefeated column has shrunk to two teams, SFA and Central Arkansas.
Stephen F. Austin will be back in action on Sunday afternoon to take on the McNeese Cowgirls at 1:00 p.m. CT. The game will be live streamed on ESPN3.
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