Ladyjacks Outlasted in Rain-Soaked Double Overtime Thriller, 3-2

Sunday, September 30

Nacogdoches, Texas

1:00 PM

Stephen F. Austin

3-5-2, 1-2-2

Lamar

7-3-1, 3-0-1

OT 3

OT 4

Lamar

Stephen F. Austin

Ladyjacks Outlasted in Rain-Soaked Double Overtime Thriller, 3-2

9/30/2018 3:56:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

SFA plays third straight double overtime match in Sunday matinee

By: Kevin Meyer | Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations

NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- The Stephen F. Austin women's soccer team competed in its third straight double-overtime contest on Sunday afternoon, battling Lamar for 110 minutes of action before the Cardinals scored a last second winner to steal three points with a 3-2 victory. SFA (3-5-2, 1-2-2 SLC) had tied the game up in the 82nd minute to force extra time, and the game appeared to be headed towards a draw before the Cardinals scored the game-winner with two ticks left on the clock off a rebounded save. Heavy rainfall came on during the contest and intermittent sprinkles continued for the remainder, making an impact on the field conditions as well as the play of the game.

"Competitive energy was real good today, I thought there were moments where the execution was high and we played some really good soccer, and there were also some moments where the execution got away from us a little bit", said SFA head coach Wally Crittenden. "Both teams created good opportunities, but it's little details and moments of execution that can define a game one way or the other. It's unfrotunate because we had a chance to follow a rebound early on in the second half and the ball rolled all the way across the goal mouth and if we follow it it's a goal, and ultimately the game ends on a rebound that they followed."

A game between two well-matched opponents was every bit the tense, emotional atmosphere one would expect with big SLC title implications on the line. The game featured a total of 42 shots, 10 corner kicks, 13 fouls and one yellow card, as well as three lead changes and two ties.

"While both teams were balanced and the competitive spirit is high, there are moments when we've got to be willing to do some things that can change the game, and for a lot of the game we were prepared for that but in key moments we weren't, and we were punished for that", explained Crittenden. "Ultimately it's a learning moment, and its tough to learn that way, but that does not define us, and as a team we'll keep moving forward because our best soccer is still ahead of us. I trust this team from a mentality standpoint, I trust this team from a preparation standpoint and I trust them to respond."

The two teams opened the first half with balanced back and forth play, with SFA nearly opening the scoring off a Termini shot in the 11th minute, which curled towards the far post and out of reach of Cardinal goalkeeper Sandra Nygard, but carried wide of frame. Lamar would would strike first, however, scoring in the 37th minute of the first half after and SFA turnover in the final third. The one goal margin would carry into the halftime break, but a renewed effort by the 'Jacks out of the intermission would soon change the game.

In the 49th minute of play, Caylon McMillan would corral her own blocked shot and slot it past Nygard for her first career goal to equalize the game at 1-1. The goal gave SFA some momentum on both sides of the ball, but a foul in the final third committed by SFA proved costly in the 65th minute, as the resulting free kick service into the box was flicked backwards for a goal by Lamar's Ocampoto put Lamar back on top.

Undeterred, the Ladyjacks stayed aggressive and capitalized on another rebound in the 82nd minute, as Katie Jennings knocked in her first goal of the campaign off Nygard's save of Termini's shot. That goal, as well as solid defense by the 'Jacks to stave off a desperate final push by Lamar, forced extra time. Both teams had moments in the overtime periods, but the game was on its way to a draw when a point-blank shot by Lamar was saved by Maddie Talbot but got away from her and bounced to Ocampo, who put in the game winner as time expired.

Playing in the team's third consecutive double-overtime match, the fight and resolve by the 'Jacks was commendable in fighting back to equalize from being a goal down twice.

"It show's that we've got spark, that we've got a strong foundation and that from a team standpoint we can play and do what we want on any given day", Crittenden said of the team's fight to equalize. "It also shows that we had moments to win each of the past three games, and you have to go through that to appreciate the finality of each match and the opportunities you have, because you don't know when or if you'll have more, and we get to see the competitive character of our kids to fight back in the way that they did. The question is going to be 'are they prepared to take that last step?' because we're taking these teams to the wire and putting ourselves in position to win, we just have to execute."

Termini led the Ladyjacks with four shots and Jennings chipped in three of the team's 17 shots, eight of which were on frame. Allyson Halliday and Talbot split time inbetween the sticks for the 'Jacks, with Halliday starting and playing the first 45 minutes with two saves, and Talbot playing out the final 65 and stopping five shots while being saddled with the decision.

-SFA-