No. 4 Lady Lions Advance to Championship Match
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CONWAY, Ark. – No. 4 Southeastern Louisiana defeated top seeded Stephen F. Austin 1-0 in the second round of the 2015 Southland Conference Tournament Friday at Bill Stephens Soccer Complex to advance to the championship match.
This marks the 11th Southland Conference Tournament championship game for the Lions. The last time Southeastern Louisiana went to the tournament championship the Lions took home the tournament title in 2013.
Southeastern Louisiana sophomore midfielder Maggie Ramsey headed in the Lion’s first goal at the 37:36 mark in the first half. Senior forward Kayla Vera set up Ramsey on a cross from the right side of the box.
Stephen F. Austin had two back-to-back shots on goal with a team save and a stop from Southeastern’s goalkeeper of the year Hope Sabadash. The Ladyjacks completed the first half with five shots on goal including three from player of the year Amanda Doyle, but the Lion’s defense held.
The Ladyjacks finished with nine shots on goal with 20 total shots.
No. 4 Southeastern Louisiana will take on the winner of No. 2 Houston Baptist and No. 3 Sam Houston State Sunday, Nov. 8 at 1 p.m. at Bill Stephens Soccer Complex on the campus of Central Arkansas for the championship match.
The championship game will be broadcast by ESPN3, available via WatchESPN.com and the WatchESPN app. David Saltzman and two-time first team all-Southland performer Laura Sadler are set to call the action.
2015 Southland Conference Tournament Quotes
Southeastern Louisiana Head Coach Blake Hornbuckle
On Stephen F. Austin
“We really gutted this one. We played really hard tonight. I think defensively we held strong again. It was bend don’t break because they put a lot of pressure on us. They are an unbelievably talented team, we are very fortunate to get through to the next round, but we also earn it.”
On Defense
“[Hope Sabadash] was a big difference in tonight’s game. We had several place calls too and we put one of them away, it changes the game as well. We’re real pleased tonight to get out of the game 1-0 and through to the finals.”
“I think the entire back line did really well. All of them performed admirably and the fielders did well, the midfielders did really well which makes it a real team effort defensively tonight.”
On going to the championship
“Regardless of who it is I think we are going to match up really well. Anyone can win it because it is a one game elimination and it’s not a marathon like the regular season. Everyone is in sprint mode right now so it’s really going to be who wants it the most.”
Southeastern Louisiana Goalkeeper Hope Sabadash
On overall play
“The back line helped me out so much. There were at least two balls cleared by the line that were going to go in. Maddie was just amazing on the post.”
On Stephen F. Austin
“SFA was a really good team the girl who was on me was definitely doing her job.”
On going to the championship
“I think we can take anyone in the Southland Conference. It’s going to be a good game either way. Both teams are absolutely fantastic so we’re just going to wait and see who we play.”
Stephen F. Austin Head Coach Wally Crittenden
On the tournament
“Well first and foremost, the conference has put on a fantastic event with great facilities. Central Arkansas has done a great job with the conference, creating a great atmosphere here, so we’ve enjoyed every second of it. We just wish it would’ve lasted a little bit longer.”
On the match
“It was a good spirited game with two teams that wanted to win. Blake did a tremendous job with his team and took some advantage of early opportunities and that was the difference.”