Southeastern Louisiana Claims 2015 Southland Tournament Title
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CONWAY, Ark. – No. 4 Southeastern Louisiana defeated No. 3 Sam Houston State in penalty kicks, 3-1, to claim the Southland Conference tournament title at Bill Stephens Soccer Complex in Conway, Ark. on the campus of Central Arkansas.
After a scoreless first half, the Lady Lions finished with five shots on goal including three from senior forward Gisenia Utreras while Sam Houston State tallied three shots on goal as a team.
Both teams remained scoreless through regulation as Sam Houston State and Southeastern Louisiana each had seven shots on goal without finding the back of the net. The Bearkats and the Lady Lions battled through two extra time periods, but neither could score.
Sam Houston State won the toss and chose to shoot first. Senior midfielder Mariah Titus shot first, but Southeastern Louisiana goalkeeper Hope Sabadash grabbed the shot. Southeastern Louisiana senior midfielder Gisenia Utreras made her shots to go up 1-0. Sam Houston’s Micaela Brit scored to tie it up, 1-1. Southeatern’s Kayla Vera put the Lady Lions back on top 2-1. Bearkat Freshman Meredith Carlson went wide. Southeatern’s Ana Zadro scored for a 3-1. Senior defender Katie Bunch lined up for the Bearkats, but Sabadash was a wall for the Lady Lions.
Southeastern Louisiana claimed its fourth Southland Conference tournament title after winning in 1998, 2009 and 2013.
Southeastern Louisiana will await their NCAA tournament fate Monday at 3:30 p.m. CT during the Women's College Cup Selection Show on NCAA.com. The Lady Lions will play either Nov. 13, 14 or 15. The Second and third round of the NCAA Tournament will take place Nov. 20 and 22 while the Quarterfinals are Nov. 27 or 28. The Women’s College Cup will take place Dec. 4 and 6 in Cary, N.C.
2015 All-Tournament Team
| Player |
Pos. |
School |
| Hope Sabadash (MVP) |
GK |
Southeastern La. |
| Kylie Hambleton |
GK |
Sam Houston State |
| Allie Johnson |
F |
Sam Houston State |
| Maggie Ramsey |
MF |
Southeastern La. |
| Gisenia Utreras |
F |
Southeastern La. |
| Mariah Titus |
MF |
Sam Houston State |
| Lauren Mercuri |
GK |
Central Arkansas |
| Hailey Sutton |
MF |
A&M-Corpus Christi |
| Kayla Vera |
F |
Southeastern La. |
| Maddie Allen |
D |
Southeastern La. |
| Brooke Dunnigan |
D |
Stephen F. Austin |
2015 Southland Conference Tournament Quotes
Southeastern Louisiana Head Coach Blake Hornbuckle
On end of the game
“We spent the last week and a half on penalty kicks and it really came through for us tonight. Of course Hope (Sabadash) is a looming presence in the net, in a great way. Hope is hope for a better lack of words, a Yogi Bearish for you there, but she is Hope and she is an absolute beast in the net.”
On a scoreless game
“We prepared for it, we prepare for all contingencies. In the preseason we prepare for all stages of the season. We’re prepared if penalty kicks happen and hopefully be ready to save the ball and get out of here with a trophy.”
On the NCAA Tournament
“We’re excited about that and they’ve really earned it. We came in here a little banged up, we’ve been thin sometimes with injuries but they found a way to persevere. That’s the biggest thing they will grind it out and do whatever they have to get the results we want, and that’s all I can ask from them.”
Hope Southeastern Louisiana Goalkeeper Hope Sabadash
On pitching a shutout in the championship game
“It doesn’t get any better than this. I’m speechless right now. But throughout the game Sam Houston was all over us but our defense held up. The back line was amazing, absolutely amazing. They were fantastic and could not have handled it any better.”
Sam Houston State Head Coach Tom Brown
On tournament
“I thought we were resilient in our games here at the conference tournament and even today where I thought we made mistakes and could have punished them. For another 110 minutes to keep a clean sheet, there are a lot more positives than negatives.”
On players
“Allie Johnson had a terrific game against Houston Baptist and created opportunities in the other games. Mariah (Titus) has probably been our best consistent player this year and was probably running on empty but just kept battling balls and winning.”