Nationally-Ranked Longhorns Stifle Ladyjacks’ Attack in Austin, 5-0

Sunday, September 2

Austin, Texas

5:00 PM

Stephen F. Austin

2-3-0

#23 Texas

4-0-1

Stephen F. Austin

Texas

Nationally-Ranked Longhorns Stifle Ladyjacks’ Attack in Austin, 5-0

9/2/2018 7:39:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Kevin Meyer | Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations

AUSTIN, Texas – The Stephen F. Austin women's soccer team fought hard in a road contest at the University of Texas on Sunday, falling to the 23^rdranked Longhorns by a 5-0 score. The loss drops SFA's record in the 2018 campaign to 2-3, with each loss coming at the hands of an opponent that is nationally ranked, or receiving votes to be so.

"Tough night for our team", said SFA head coach Wally Crittenden. "Every game that we play we go in with the expectation that we are going to create enough chances to win the game, that we are going to give ourselves opportunities to the tilt the game in our favor. Whether that be in the first 10 minutes or in 90 minutes, we have to be prepared to go the distance to compete and commit whatever is required to tilt that game in our favor. Whenever you play teams of this caliber, as we did in three of our past four games, you understand that there are going to be less of these game-defining moments. I thought we maintained our identity in possession better tonight than in previous matches, and I think that there were some moments of really good soccer out there. "

The Longhorns would score in the eighth minute, just before a lightning strike in the area caused a 30 minute delay. After play resumed near the top of the six o'clock hour, the Longhorns tacked on two more goals in quick succession in the 23^rdand 26^thminute off the foot and head of Cydney Billups, respectively.

"Defensively we were challenged tonight, and in some cases we exceeded those challenges and in some areas we came up short", added Crittenden. "We are building a team meant for competing in tough games against high level opponents, and the frustrating part is that even with our game plan and committed kids, we weren't able to give ourselves a chance to win the game tonight. That being said, the attitude was good, the effort was good, and our commitment to possession that we displayed tonight was something I enjoyed watching."

In the second half, the 'Longhorns added another goal in the 72^ndminute, this time by Haley Berg. With time winding down in the match, the officials awarded the Longhorns a penalty kick in the 89^thminute, which was converted by Amber Stearns.

While battling for possession throughout the contest and piecing together several combinations towards the UT goal, the 'Jacks were outshot 25-2 in the contest.

Next up for the 'Jacks is a home match with Southern Miss on September 7, and a chance for the 'Jacks to further establish their identity amidst a stretch of tough non-conference competition.

-SFA-