Ladyjacks Secure Three Crucial Points in Home Win Versus UIW, 2-1

Friday, October 19

Nacogdoches, Texas (Nacogdoches High School)

7:00 PM

Stephen F. Austin

4-7-3, 2-4-3SLC

Incarnate Word

2-11-1, 2-6-1SLC

Incarnate Word

Stephen F. Austin

Ladyjacks Secure Three Crucial Points in Home Win Versus UIW, 2-1

10/19/2018 8:53:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

SFA moves into tie for seventh place in league standings

By: Kevin Meyer | Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – A brace of first-half goals lifted the Stephen F. Austin women's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over the University of the Incarnate Word on Friday at Nacodgoches High School. Sophia Fondren collected the first goal of the contest and third of her 2018 campaign in the 21^stminute, while Breanna Moore tacked on an insurance strike and eventual game-winner in the 35^thminute.

"I thought from a quality of play standpoint, we played pretty consistent to how we've played for the last month or so", said SFA head coach Wally Crittenden. "From a physical standpoint, I thought they rose to the occasion, Incarnate Word demanded a lot of us and it was a really good match. 100% of the credit needs to go to these players, they've been through a lot, and while this certainly isn't our end all, it's a very positive step that they've earned the right to enjoy due to the challenges they've faced. Tonight they got a chance to respond and I thought they managed the game well and executed as good if not better than they have leading up to this game."

A matchup that has been controlled by the 'Jacks in recent history went in SFA's favor once again, but the match was a slow starter for both teams, as the action didn't pick up until about 20 minutes into the contest. Moore fired off a shot on goal in the 17th minute, only to see the attempt saved, but a nice combination between three players would help the 'Jacks find the back of the next just minutes later. Elise Davis made an attacking run down the left side of the field before hitting a pass over to Moore, who took a touch and slotted it back into the middle for Fondren, who slotted a low, powerful shot past the diving goalkeeper to open the scoring.

Unsatisfied with the one-goal margin, the 'Jacks kept up the pressure, and Fondren's second shot of the contest forced a save in the 32nd minute of play, once again a harbinger of a forthcoming SFA goal, this time off the foot of Moore. The 'Jacks second strike was set up by Katie Jennings, who charged full bore down the left side of the field, got position on her defender at the baseline and curled a cross into the box, where Moore was there with a sliding shot to beat the keeper for her first goal of the campaign.

In the second half, a revitalized Cardinals squad kept up a pestering attack in the 'Jacks half of the field, and were rewarded with a goal off a corner kick in the 47th minute of play to trim the lead to one goal. The second half also saw an increase in physicality, resulting in a total of four cautions doled out in the half. Even still, the 'Jacks got back into rhythm in the final third of the contest, and forced several more dangerous opportunities on goal in the final minutes of play. By game's end, the 'Jacks had outshot UIW 12-6 in the contest (five SOG) and eked out a small edge in corner kicks.

"I thought our offense looked good tonight", added Crittenden. " We had to makesome personnel changes and seeing the changes we made and how we did that based off their instincts and tendencies, I thought they handled that really well. I thought we left some goals on the table, but I liked our variety in the attack and we featured a good, well-rounded attack, which made me feel we could've opened the game up on several occasions."

Fondren finished the contest with six total shots, three of which were on frame, and her third goal of the season, giving her the team lead. Moore notched a goal and an assist, while Jennings recorded an assist.

The victory moves SFA into a two-way tie with Northwestern State for seventh place in the Southland Conference with nine points, and improves its record to 4-7-3 on the season and 2-4-3 in Southland Conference play. The 'Jacks own the tiebreaker over the Lady Demons thanks to a win to open conference play, and have two remaining contests against Abilene Christian on Sunday and Sam Houston State next Friday. ACU defeated Sam Houston State 3-0 tonight.

-SFA-