Ladyjacks Surge Past Sam Houston State in Southland Conference Tournament Opener, 4-1

Wednesday, November 1

Corpus Christi, Texas

11:00 a.m.

Stephen F. Austin

12-7

#7 Sam Houston State University

7-9-2

Sam Houston State

SFA

Ladyjacks Surge Past Sam Houston State in Southland Conference Tournament Opener, 4-1

11/1/2017 2:36:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

SFA ties season-high in goals in quarterfinal win

By: Kevin Meyer | Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – For the second time in six days, the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks would square off with the Bearkats of Sam Houston State on Wednesday in the opening game of the Southland Conference Tournament. Unlike the pitched battle that took two extra periods to decide last Friday, however, the Ladyjacks would hang four goals on the Bearkats to coast to a comfortable quarterfinal win, 4-1.

The high-scoring affair at Jack Dugan Stadium in Corpus Christi, Texas would improve the Ladyjacks' record to 12-7 overall on the season, while Sam Houston State fell to 7-9-2 overall to end their season.

"I thought our energy was high, intent was high, and I was pleased with how we started the game", said SFA head coach Wally Crittenden. "That's something we've been really working on, we seem to grow into games really well and seem to play some of our best soccer in the second half, as we did today. I thought there were some good moments in the first half as well that showed we were prepared, focused and ready to make a statement. Efficiency with our shots on goal was high, we created really dangerous and high-percentage looks on goal."

Breanna Moore would break a scoreless game open with a goal in the 19^th minute of play, as Sophia Fondren threaded a through ball past two Bearkat defenders to set Moore up for a one on one opportunity with goalkeeper Christina Hendershot of the opposition. Moore took a touch and fired a low strike past Hendershot for the early SFA lead, and the rout was on.

Shortly after Moore's goal, Carli Arthurs got a shot off at goal, but the effort didn't have enough steam to get past Hendershot, who made one of three saves she would have in the game on the shot. Later, in the 35^th minute of play, the 'Jacks got a ball in the box with an attacker in a good position to shoot, but passed up the shot in favor of a pass, and the Bearkats were able to break up the possession. That sequence, combined with an offensive push by the Bearkats to try and level the game in the remainder of the half led to just a 1-0 halftime lead for SFA.

Coming out of the halftime break, the 'Jacks were electric from the get-go, and in the 48^th minute, reigning Southland Midfielder of the Year Hanna Barker would net the golden goal on a scintillating strike from 27 yards out. Barker received the ball on a pass from Kennedy Rose on the SFA side of the midfield circle, turned up field and dribbled 33 yards up the middle of the field before loosing her powerful strike at the left side of the net. The goal was the ninth of the campaign for Barker, but the senior wasn't finished making plays on the day.

Just three minutes later, Barker charged into the box to try and loose a shot on a 50/50 ball, and in doing so was tripped up by a Bearkats defender. The penalty earned a PK attempt for SFA, and Mari Gillespie would step up to bury the attempt and stake SFA out to a 3-1 lead. The PK was Gillespie's second goal of the season, and just the second PK attempted by the 'Jacks this season.

Not going down with a fight, the Bearkats would trim the deficit to two on a strike of their own in the 66^th minute, as forward Carly English finished a through ball from her teammate Meredith Carlson and put the ball past SFA goalkeeper Allyson Smith to spoil the shutout.

Even then, the Ladyjacks were methodical and as dangerous as ever in the contest, and left back Carli Arthurs would answer almost immediately with an excellent shot from 30 yards out. After taking a pass from Caylon McMillan on the left side of the field, Arthurs faked left to create separation from her defensive mark, strafed right and let loose a powerful shot which tucked under the crossbar for the fourth SFA goal.

"Anytime you're out here you need to be decisive, you need to be on edge, and you've got to make sure you take any chance you create", added Crittenden. "I think an area that has maybe limited us in the past was creating enough to get shots, not creating just to create, so I thought we had a good balance of that today, and some really good execution come out of that balance."

After a strong performance last Friday against Sam Houston State which saw the 'Jacks hold them to just 11 total shots, Wednesday was more of the same. SHSU tallied just 12 shots on the day, and just three on goal, with Smith (10-6-0) making the save on two of those attempts in recording the win.

The victory was SFA's 13th win in Southland Tournament play since its inception in 1997. The 'Jacks have posted an overall record of 13-11-8 (.535) in 19 appearances in the tournament, and have now outscored their opponents 39-24 in those matches. Prior to the game's start, the All-Conference members and individual superlatives of each team were recognized at midfield, with Hanna Barker receiving her award for All-Conference First Team honors as well as the Southland's Midfielder of the Year placard.

SFA will now sit and await news of their opponent for Friday's matchup at 4:00 p.m., with McNeese and Abilene Christian beginning their match after the conclusion of SFA's on Wednesday.

-SFA-