No. 4 Houston Baptist Downs No. 5 Southeastern Louisiana 2-1
Southland Conference
Final Box Score
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2016 Tournament Central
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The No. 4 Houston Baptist Huskies took down the No. 5 Southeastern Louisiana Lady Lions in game two of the opening round in the 2016 Southland Conference Soccer Tournament by a score of 2-1. A blistering game from both sides saw a heavy dose of shots and scoring opportunities for both sides, but it was the Huskies who edged ahead and held their ground, punching their ticket to the semifinal match-up with No. 1 Central Arkansas on Friday.
Heavy rain descended on Jack Dugan Stadium before kickoff, and made for slippery playing conditions for game two of the opening round of the tournament. The rain lifted by halftime and did not affect either side’s aggression both teams enjoyed a healthy dose of chances on goal, battling for their ticket to the semifinals against top seed Central Arkansas.
Both teams wasted no time and came out firing in the opening minutes, both pushing hard with fast-paced midfields and quick passes. Before it seemed as if either team had settled into control, it was Southeastern Louisiana that found the back of the net first 14:35 into the first half. A corner kick for the Lady Lions found its way to senior Amber Lasher who headed in the opening goal for a 1-0 lead.
The Huskies were not shell shocked by the early goal, as they punched in the equalizer with a shot from the center of the box by junior Elle Hall to tie the game at 1-1. Both sides would exchange their share of possession in the opposing half, with the stat line reading very similar when the halftime whistle blew. Tied at one goal apiece, both had one assist and three shots on goal. The Lady Lions held a slight 7-5 edge in total shots and 5-3 on corner kicks – one of which resulted in their opening score. Both goalkeepers had a busy first half between the posts, with sophomore Alanis Guevara facing seven shots and making two saves, while senior Hope Sabadash faced five and saved two.
Houston Baptist was the side which settled into more of an offensive rhythm, spending most of their time in the Lady Lions’ defensive third, creating multiple opportunities to take the lead. Three Husky shots found their way just wide of Sabadash’s goal within the first 15 minutes of the second half, including a physical scramble inside the box that resulted in a driven shot just wide right by HBU sophomore Autumn Wildung.
The Lady Lions had a strong chance with 25 minutes to go off a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box toward the left corner. Sailing over the six-yard box, it found its way to Southeastern Louisiana junior Maddie Kresevic who got a clear foot to the ball, but sent it wide left.
Another fast-paced drive forced an incredible low collapsing save from Sabadash off a driven shot inside the box from Houston Baptist senior Allison Abendschein. The Lady Lions were not to be denied again, as Abendschein got another chance less than two minutes later. The senior put a perfect header on a ball played into the box low and past Sabadash to give the the Huskies a 2-1 advantage with 14:39 to play in regulation.
The Huskies threatened again four minutes later at the 80:52 mark when senior Alessia Dal Monte ran nearly the length of the field along the left side before skidding her shot inside the box low and past Sabadash again, but just wide of the right post. The Lady Lions could not find their footing for an equalizer and Houston Baptist held on for a 2-1 victory and a trip to the semifinals against top-seeded Central Arkansas on Friday at 7 p.m.