Texas State Beats Sam Houston State on Penalty Kicks
NATCHITOCHES, La. - In the first semifinal match of the Southland Conference Women's Soccer Tournament at the Lady Demon Soccer Complex in Natchitoches, La., No. 2 seed Texas State needed penalty kicks to get by No. 6 seed Sam Houston State. The Bobcats record moves to 13-5-1 on the year while the team finish the season at 9-11-2.
After the game ended in a 1-1 tie in regulation, Texas State won 3-1 in the shootout with excellent play from senior goalkeeper Lauren Frazier. Frazier blocked the first and third shots from Sam Houston while the Bobcats converted on their first three shots. On the Bearkats final shot to stay alive in the shootout Kirby Zak hit the post and ended the match.
Sam Houston struck first in the match with a goal from Emily Jurecka in the 78th minute. Senior midfielder Tricia Mallory won the battle for the ball and assisted Jurecka for the game's first goal on an empty net after Texas State's Frazier went out to challenge Mallory. The goal was Jurecka's second and Mallory's fifth on the year.
Three minute later, Texas State responded with the equalizer. Junior forward Serena Hines took an unassisted ball and put it past the Bearkats goalkeeper Michele McCullough to knot the game at one apiece. It was Hines' eighth goal on the season.
Texas State put together the two best scoring chances in the first half. Senior forward Erica Michaud almost struck for the first goal of the game in the first six minutes when she broke away from the Sam Houston backline for a one-on-one opportunity, but McCullough made a diving save. In the 44th minute, forward Felicia Leask's shot hit the crossbar to keep the match scoreless at the half.
Texas State advances to the Southland championship match to take winner of the Stephen F. Austin and UTSA match played later tonight. The championship match will be televised live on Southland TV, Sunday at 1 p.m. Check southland.org/television for affiliates in your area. It will also be streamed live on ESPN3.com and on SLC NOW on the Southland Conference website, southland.org.