Ladyjacks Face Top-Seeded Lamar in Southland Conference Tournament Title Match on Sunday

Sunday, November 5

Corpus Christi, Texas

1:00 p.m.

Stephen F. Austin

#1 Lamar

Ladyjacks Face Top-Seeded Lamar in Southland Conference Tournament Title Match on Sunday

11/4/2017 5:41:00 PM | Women's Soccer

'Jacks set to play in fourth SLC Tournament title game in past five seasons

By: Kevin Meyer | Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas-- In order to get where you want to be, it's important to know where you've been. For the Stephen F. Austin women's soccer team, attaining Southland Conference Tournament glory has been part of the program's tradition, as the team has continuously put itself in position to contend for championships. The Ladyjacks know a thing or two about playing for titles—they've been on the field competing for eight of the past 10—and will face Lamar in Sunday's title match in Corpus Christi in a redemption match.

The game will be shown on ESPN3, with on-air commentary by David Saltzman and Laura Sadler.

The chance to take care of two birds with one stone, as it were, comes in the form of a rematch with top-seeded Lamar, who got past SFA in Beaumont during the regular season on a late PK, in a match that ultimately decided the Southland regular season championship. Also at stake is a chance to win SFA's fourth tournament title, the last of which came in the 2012 season. The Ladyjacks punched their ticket with a dramatic shootout victory over Abilene Christian on Friday evening, shortly before Lamar knocked off the fourth-seeded Sugar Bears of Central Arkansas, 2-1, to earn their way to the title game.

There will be no shortage of emotion in Sunday's game, as SFA lookks to avenge the regular season loss and looks for the program's fourth tournament title.

"Lamar will no doubt come out with a lot of energy, they'll have the same competitive edge that has defined them throughout the season", said SFA head coach Wally Crittenden. "They have a good, strong identity about how they're playing right now, and we have that same strong identity about how we're playing as well. We expect it to be a really good game between two good teams, each of which is capable of representing the league in the NCAA Tournament."

While just one game determined the eventual champion of the Southland, the success of the Cardinals (17-3-1) has been noteworthy. Just a year removed from a Southland-worst 2-16-1 season, the Cardinals have benefited from having a dynamic player in the fold in forward Kelso Peskin. The junior college transfer has been the focal point of the Cardinal's improvement from worst to first, as she has tallied eight goals and 12 assists this season. A total of six All-Conference selections has provided Lamar with talent through each line of play.

Friday's contest was no cake walk for the 'Jacks, who faced a tough sixth-seeded Abilene Christian team that advanced to the semifinals with an upset of third seed McNeese, taking the Cowgirls down in a penalty kick shootout on Wednesday. Despite being outshot by the Wildcats in the game (28-9), the Ladyjacks bounced back in the second half and had their own chances to sink the golden goal. After the game advanced to a penalty kick shootout, the 'Jacks were perfect in their four attempts, taking advantage of one ACU miss and getting a save from goalkeeper Allyson Smith to deny another, and winning the shootout 4-2 to advance to the title game.

"In the Abilene Christian game, we did not get a team that came out flat", continued Crittenden. "We got a team that came out and gave us their best shot. We had to respond to their initial pressure, and I was pleased with how we did respond, so it's a matter of knowing that we are 'battle-tested'. We've been playing good soccer, it's going to be a great match and I'm very excited to see our girls play."

Stephen F. Austin has played some of its best soccer down the stretch this season, losing just once in the past games, and outscoring opponents 17-5 over that stretch, registering four shutouts in the process. The Ladyjacks can draw upon multiple sources for motivation heading into the game on Sunday as they try to claim the program's first conference tournament title since 2012, as well as clinch a berth to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2012 season.

"The team is really excited and motivated" continued Crittenden. "We know that motivation isn't going to be an issue tomorrow. Everyone understands that we have a chance to win a championship, and as coaches we take a lot of pride in our ability to get out team the chance to play for a championship, and we were very close to reaching that goal in the regular season, and now we have a second chance at a championship. Our kids understand the stakes, they understand what they need to do from a competitive and combative standpoint to have a chance to win."

Having tied Southeastern Louisiana for a Southland Conference leading 19^th tournament appearance, the Ladyjacks can also move into a tie with Texas State (formerly of the Southland) for the second-most SLC Tournament wins (14) with a victory on Sunday.

-SFA-