Southeastern Louisiana Advances to Southland Tournament Final in Shootout Win Over SFA
NATCHITOCHES, La. - Southeastern Louisiana senior midfielder Candice Wallace's penalty kick completed a 4-3 shootout victory over Stephen F. Austin in Southland Conference Tournament semifinal action Friday afternoon at the Lady Demon Soccer Complex.
The tournament match between the Lady Lions (12-4-2) and Ladyjacks (10-8-2) ended in a shootout for the second straight year. Statistically, it also marked the second time Southeastern edged SFA in a shootout to advance in the league tournament.
Southeastern goalkeeper Lacey Bockhaus set the tone to start the shootout, turning away the shot of SFA's Kelli Wilson. Freshman Karly Dagys, junior Natalie Santana and sophomore Kyle MacIntosh all netted shots to give Southeastern a 3-1 lead with two shots remaining. SFA knotted the shootout at 3 with scores by Jordan King and Edwina Forbes.
After that, the Lady Lions' fate was in the hands of Wallace, a three-time All-Southland Conference performer and the team's most experience senior. Wallace drilled her shot past diving SFA goalkeeper Courtney Bauder to send Southeastern to the finals.
The Lady Lions will be making its eighth trip to the Southland Conference Tournament finals and will meet the winner of Friday's second semifinal between top-seeded Texas State and fourth-seeded Sam Houston State. Sunday's championship match is set for 1 p.m. and will be televised live on the Southland Television Network (Charter Channel 22 in the Hammond area). Southeastern will be making its first Southland Conference Tournament championship match appearance since 2003.
The teams battled through a scoreless first half that saw both teams each have one prime scoring opportunity in an evenly-played first 45 minutes. SFA's Brenna Crockett had the first chance late in the second half, getting free on a breakaway, but Bockhaus made a sliding save.
In the final minute of the period, Santana had a good look from close range, but her shot banged off the left post.
The second half was more of the same with the Lady Lions attempting six shots to four for the Ladyjacks. Neither team had a prime scoring chance as the match went to extra periods.
Midway through the first overtime, Santana rocketed a shot from about 18 yards out that SFA goalkeeper Courtney Bauder bobbled but quickly smothered. Kim Kimmel's shot in the final minute was blocked for SFA sending the game into a second extra period.
SFA made another solid run midway through the second overtime, as Bockhaus made a nice save on a shot by Laura Sadler. However, the match was scoreless through the second overtime setting up a shootout for the second straight year.
Postmatch Quotes:
Southeastern Louisiana Coach Blake Hornbuckle
Today was a great game between two excellent teams. We both came in knowing we would have to put it all on the line and unfortunately there had to be a loser, and we're very fortunate to have come away with the win today. Defensively we played very solid and just really happy with the result, and I congratulate SFA on a wonderful season.
Southeastern Louisiana Senior Candice Wallace
I'm very happy with the win; it was a really hard game to the end. Two great teams playing against each other in a hard fought battle and we just happened to come out on top. (On possibly playing Texas State again: That would be amazing. We would like to get another shot at them. I'm sure they feel the same way, and I'm looking forward to it.
Stephen F. Austin Coach George Van Linder
I think we were just a little frustrated. We created some opportunities and we didn't finish them. That's how the game works sometimes. It's frustrating sometimes because we hope to come out on the other end of those. Give credit to Southeastern Louisiana because they took us out of our game in the first half.
They started playing a direct game and we tried to emulate that and that was a mistake on our part. I thought we did better as the second half went on but we just ran out of time.
Stephen F. Austin Senior Megan Cash
You know sometimes things just don't go your way and we lost our composure in front of the net. We didn't play the way we usually can.
I'm proud of my team. I don't blame it on anybody. I'm most upset because it's over for me, but I'm not upset with my team at all.