Stephen F. Austin
Sam Houston
Ladyjacks Soccer Set to Close Out Regular Season with Rival Sam Houston State on Senior Day
10/25/2018 9:30:00 AM | Women's Soccer
SFA and SHSU meet for 20th matchup in all-time series
SFA Soccer Field
Friday, October 26
6:00 P.M CST
SFA Notes | SHSU Notes | Watch | Live stats
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – When the Ladyjacks close out their 2018 regular season on Friday against rival Sam Houston State, motivation should be in no short supply. After all, the Ladyjacks will be recognizing their teammate and lone senior of the 2018 class with a pregame ceremony, and also have a unique opportunity to potentially clinch a spot in the Southland Conference Tournament with a victory in the rivalry matchup.
The match is set for a 6:00 pm kickoff, moved forward an hour due to the Homecoming festivities planned for the weekend. Fans can view the game via Facebook live by navigating to the SFA Athletics Facebook page. A live stats link for the game is available above.
Coming off a split weekend in which the 'Jacks (4-8-3, 2-5-3 SLC) briefly moved back into the projected tournament field with a win on Friday, SFA is once again in need of three points to close out the season, with a total of three scenarios allowing them to get into the tournament with corresponding losses by teams ahead of them, and only one scenario in which the team can qualify with a tie. Aiding the cause for the Ladyjacks is the all-time series they have with the rival Bearkats, who are desperately fighting for their own tournament fate amidst a 3-11-3 (2-6-2 SLC) season. SFA has come out on top of the 'Kats in eight of the past nine matchups between the two, carving out a 16-3 edge in all-time history.
With an improved shape and with its top offensive weapons at its disposal, SFA was dangerous in creating opportunities against Incarnate Word on Friday, scoring two goals in the first 30 minutes of play, and had chances on Sunday against Abilene Christian despite missing some key personnel. With some offensive potency restored, the 'Jacks will look to take advantage of a Bearkats team that has allowed a league-high 20 goals in conference play. SHSU hasn't scored in three matches and has been outscored 8-0 during that stretch. Sophomores Sophia Fondren (three goals) and Katelyn Termini (two goals), along with Mari Gillespie (two goals) have been the top point-getters for SFA this season. Senior Breanna Moore accrued three points in the win over UIW and will be playing in her final home match on Friday, and was a catalyst in SFA's 4-1 romp over the Bearkats in the 2017 Southland Conference Tournament.
For the Bearkats, offense has come in the form of forward Lindsey Bienski, as the senior has knocked in four goals to lead the squad. The team's leading point person in 2017, Carlota-Suarez Crespo, also looms in the fold for SHSU after leading the team with 18 points last season. Another aspect of note to the Bearkats season has been physicality, as SHSU leads the Southland with 109 total fouls in conference play, and has accumulated 18 yellow cards on the campaign, also a Southland-high. Goalkeeper Christina Hendershot has been strong in net for the Bearkats, ranking third in the league in saves (81) and saves per match (5.51). She has also notched both shutouts for Sam Houston this season.
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THIS COULD GET CHIPPY
SFA and Sam Houston State meet on Friday for a game with tremendous Southland Tournament implications. That, combined with the rivalry nature of the contest and a combined 27 yellow cards given to the two teams this season may lead to a physical contest.
SOUTHLAND TOURNAMENT ODDS
The 'Jacks are one of six teams still fighting for a Southland Tournament berth, joining UIW, A&M Corpus Christi, Sam Houston State, Southeastern Louisiana and Northwestern State. With a win over Sam and a loss by UIW, Northwestern State or Southeastern Louisiana the 'Jacks will make the tournament for an 11th straight season.
EXTRA TIME
SFA and Abilene Christian played Sunday's match into double overtime, the fifth overtime contest the team has played in this season, resulting in three draws and two losses.
SENDING OFF OUR SENIOR
Friday's contest will be the 2018 Senior Night for SFA Soccer, and the lone Ladyjack senior BREANNA MOORE will be recognized for her career achievements before the start of the match, her final home game in an SFA uniform.
