Ladyjacks Keep Pace in Southland Standings with Home Draw Versus McNeese, 1-1

Friday, September 28

Nacogdoches, Texas

7:00 PM

Stephen F. Austin

3-4-2

McNeese

7-4-1

OT 3

OT 4

MCN

Stephen F. Austin

Ladyjacks Keep Pace in Southland Standings with Home Draw Versus McNeese, 1-1

9/28/2018 9:51:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Kevin Meyer | Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations

NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- The Stephen F. Austin women's soccer team appeared headed towards extending its 14-game winning streak versus McNeese at the halftime break of Friday night's contest at SFA Soccer Field. Instead, the league-leading Cowgirls equalized with a goal in the 66th minute to force overtime, where the two teams battled to a draw after 110 minutes of action, 1-1. With the draw, SFA moves to 3-4-2 on the season and 1-1-2 in Southland play ahead of Sunday's match with Lamar, who also drew in a Friday night match with Sam Houston State.

"I thought we played with great energy, i thought our commitment to our game plan was good", said SFA head coach Wally Crittenden. "McNeese plays a unique shape, and they're very good at doing it, so it definitely presents some challenges in the midfield. I thought we executed our gameplan well, their goal was an example of how their midfield buildup is and how dangerous their strikers are with a little bit of space. I'll tell you that the type of chances we created, we had several breakaways, we had a couple point-blank chances form within ten yards, their goalkeeper had a few good saves and I thought it was a good exciting game to watch."

SFA was sharp from the in a modified formation, generating good possession which ultimately led to the game's opening goal on a sensational strike from Mari Gillespie. Gillespie received a pass in the middle of the field from Sophia Fondren and fired off a blast from distance that carried over Cowgirl goalkeeper Emma Roccaforte's hands and in off the crossbar for her second tally of the season. That margin would carry into the break and the beginning of the second half, but after McNeese dialed up some added pressure, the 'Jacks conceded a goal in the 66th minute off a turnover, which equalized the contest.

"We had to make some changes, and certainly our identity is much more defined, we're much more settled in this shape" explained Crittenden. "We even have some wrinkles in this shape that put us in position to win this game tonight. It's a 4-3-3 base shape, but I think our ability to shift out of it is suomething I like, because it allows us to play to our strengths right now."

In the overtime periods, the Ladyjacks had to fend off numerous corner kicks by McNeese, as well as getting a clutch save at full extension by Allyson Halliday with a minute left to play in the match, to earn the point from the draw. Halliday (1-3-1) got the result in goal after taking over from Maddie Talbot at the halftime break, and made three saves. Talbot denied two shots in her half of play, and the Ladyjacks defense came through with a big team save in front of goal in the second half as well. Overall, the Ladyjacks gave up 12 corner kicks while earning seven of their own.

"That was something we were hoping to tighten up on, but McNeese is very good on the flank, they like to go through the middle and spray the ball wide, and they're going to challenge you when they get the ball wide and high", Crittenden said of the corner kicks conceded to McNeese. "You have to make good choices and seal off the corner as much as you can, and sometimes we did better at that than others. When you give up that many corners, you're going to have some close calls, but I think we defended some very well too. At the end of the day, I think we got better from playing this game, I think we took a step forward and I certainly have a better feeling about this game and our identity moving forward."

McNeese carved out an edge in shots in the match, 15-7 and 7-3 in shots on goal. Gillespie and Fondren each tallied two shots to lead SFA in that regard. The 'Jacks next return to action on Sunday at SFA Soccer Field to face Lamar (6-3-1). That match is set for a 1:00 p.m. start.

-SFA-