Ladyjacks Hand Cowgirls First Conference Loss With 2-0 Decision on Friday

Friday, September 29

Lake Charles, LA

7:00 p.m.

Stephen F. Austin

6-5, 3-1SLC

McNeese

7-3-1, 3-1SLC

SFA

McNeese

Ladyjacks Hand Cowgirls First Conference Loss With 2-0 Decision on Friday

9/29/2017 10:17:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

SFA moves into five-way tie for first place in Southland standings

By: Kevin Meyer | Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations

NACOGDOCHES, Texas—In a clash between two of the Southland Conference leaders, it was the Ladyjacks that came out on top of McNeese on Friday night in Lake Charles, 2-0. The Ladyjacks used a goal in each half and a clean sheet on the defensive end to improve to 6-5 overall and 3-1 in conference play.

Kennedy Rose tallied the game-winner for the 'Jacks in the seventh minute of play, jumping up to meet a corner kick service from Hanna Barker and putting the ball past McNeese goalkeeper Emma Roccaforte for the opening strike. Barker would later double up the lead with a superb finish on a through ball from Sophia Fondren in the 53th minute, giving the Ladyjacks a 2-0 cushion in the contest.

"You can always find areas to improve in a game no matter the result", said SFA head coach Wally Crittenden. "Tonight the field conditions challenged us in terms of our rhythm and tempo and limited our possession, but seeing how our kids responded to the physicality and competition was really good to see. McNeese came out with energy and high effort, as we expected, and they challenged us throughout the game."

Friday's contest was a highly efficient offensive performance for the Ladyjacks, who settled for quality looks on net instead of racking up a high quantity of shots. McNeese outshot SFA 11-5 for the game and 6-3 in shots on goal, but the Ladyjacks nonetheless hung two goals on a Cowgirl defense that had ceded just three scores this season. On the other end, the Ladyjack defense held McNeese's capable offense to just six shots on frame, all of which were saved by goalkeeper Allyson Smith.

SFA's first goal of the game was atypical for the team in that it involved scoring on the team's first shot attempt of the game, as well as being scored off a corner kick. Barker's well placed service found the 5-8 Rose, who had come up from her position on the backline for the set piece. The headed attempt at goal was well struck, and beat Roccaforte for Rose's first goal of the season, and just the second goal given up by the Cowgirls in Southland play.

"Anytime you can score first it's a big boost for you team, whether you're home or away", continued Crittenden. "We don't look too much into the statistical buildup during the non-conference play, for us it is more about identifying favorable matchups and building a game plan around that. We identified a few matchups that we wanted to make sure we had and we did tonight, leading to two really excellent goals."

In the 15^th minute, freshman midfielder Sophia Fondren took the first of her two shots in the match, forcing a save from Roccaforte. That attempt was the only other shot the Ladyjacks would take in the first half, as the Cowgirls imposed themselves more on the attack after ceding the early strike. Despite the renewed pressure, the Ladyjacks kept the one goal lead into the halftime break, aided by a handful of saves from Smith.

In the second half, the Ladyjacks didn't take long to find their moment to score again, as Fondren spotted Barker on the run and fed her an excellent through ball down the center of the field. Barker outpaced her marker and slotted a shot past a charging Roccaforte for her fifth tally of the season and the second SFA goal.

As the second half wound down, the Cowgirls upped the pressure and the intensity, which resulted in some more physical play. A total of four yellow cards were assessed during the final third of play, with three being assessed to McNeese and one to SFA.

"There was some adversity tonight, and a lot of it had to do with McNeese, they were physical, organized and energetic", Crittenden said. "We responded well, and no we're looking forward to Sunday's matchup with another strong opponent in Lamar."

With Friday's win and the results from around the league, SFA now moves into a five-way tie at the top of the league table with McNeese, Central Arkansas, Houston Baptist and Lamar. The Ladyjacks will now move on to face Lamar on Sunday in another battle of two top Southland teams. Lamar toppled Sam Houston State 3-1 on Friday night.

-SFA-