Sunday, September 20
Stout Defense, Goaltending Leads to 0-0 with Texas for Little Rock
AUSTIN, Texas – For the second consecutive game against a major-conference foe, the Trojan soccer team took their opponent to overtime. This time, they completed the tie.
Little Rock played staunch defense all afternoon and Sara Small had seven saves in net, leading the Trojans to a 0-0 tie with Texas at Mike A. Myers Stadium on Sunday.
The Trojans (5-4-1) stymied the Longhorns (3-2-2) throughout the 110 minutes of action, knocking away crosses and shots often times before they got through to Small. Small's shutout was her second complete clean sheet of the year. The Little Rock attack also had a few moments to shine, picking up four shots on goal.
In the two overtime periods, Small had to make three saves and the Trojans forced Texas goalie Abby Smith to make one as well. At the end of the contest, the Longhorns led 29-6 in shots and 10-3 on corners. But neither team was able to take a lead in the one scoreboard category that mattered.
The tie was Little Rock's first since October 2014 at Georgia State. This is now the first season since 2011 that the Trojans have played two overtime games a year. The Trojans fell 1-0 in the first overtime at Ole Miss two weeks ago despite 13 saves from Small against a Southeastern conference team.
As was the case when the Trojans last played a major-conference opponent on Sept. 6, the Little Rock defense and Small were the stars of the game. The back line of Nora Hellmers, Hali Long and Bailey Fithian as well as Mikayla Uyokpeyi in the defensive midfield kept the Longhorns without a shot until the 14th minute, and Texas' first shot on goal was not until the 17th minute.
That shot on goal produced Small's best save of the afternoon. Texas had the ball on the left wing and crossed it into the box. Just six yards from goal, Texas' Mikayla Flores got a boot on the ball. Small dove to her left and got her left hand on the ball, knocking it out of bounds to save the goal.
Small would finish the half with three more saves, and the Trojan defense continued to frustrate the Longhorns. Little Rock did not use a substitute in the first 45 minutes.
Little Rock's best opportunity in the first half may have come in strange fashion. Quin Wilkes, playing up as the lone striker for the Trojans, got a ball flicked onto her by a teammate down the left side of the offensive zone. Smith came way out of her net to make a play on the ball, and Wilkes got to it first. The sophomore tried to loop the ball over Smith toward a vacated net, but Smith deflected it out of bounds. That was one of the Trojans' two shots during the half to Texas' 13.
The second half saw similar play with the Trojans fending off Longhorn attacks for much of it. But Caitlyn Eddy and Claire Palmer took great shots in a two-minute span early in the half that Smith had to save. Eddy's was a rocket from outside the penalty area that Smith parried to her left and earned Little Rock a corner kick.
With under 10 minutes remaining, the Trojans nearly had a great opportunity when Shannon Shields earned a throw-in. She lofted the ball deep, and Kayla Turner was just inches from getting to a loose ball before Smith jumped on top of it.
Logan Strange saw significant action on Sunday for the first time all season, starting the game and playing 85 minutes in regulation. Fali Garuba and Jaclyn Purvine saw more than 80 minutes as well, enduring the 90-plus degree Austin heat. Eddy, Palmer, Fithian, Uyokpeyi, Hellmers, Long and Small played all 110 minutes. Liz Berkeley, Turner, Talia Graves and Shields all played just under half an hour.
With non-conference play behind them, the Trojans will now look ahead to the start of Sun Belt Conference action next week. Texas State is first on the slate, and the Trojans will face the Bobcats on Friday at 7 p.m. in San Marcos.
Eagles Fall to North Florida, 1-0
JACKSONVILLE, FLA. – Georgia Southern Women's Soccer closed non-conference play on Sunday with a 1-0 defeat to North Florida on Florida's First Coast. The Eagles, who open league play on Friday against UL Lafayette, conceded a 60th minute penalty that was the difference, but held the possession through much of the match.
MATCH FACTS
Georgia Southern (3-4-1) – 0
North Florida (1-7-1) - 1
SCORING
60' – UNF – Sarah Wasser converts a penalty kick low and to the left to put the home side ahead.
NOTES
- Georgia Southern goalkeeper Emily Egan played all 90 minutes for the second-straight match. She posted three saves in the match.
- Nora El-Shami led the Eagles with four shots, two on frame.
- Jennifer Wittick took three shots for the Eagles with two on frame.
WHAT COACH BRIAN DUNLEAVY SAID
"I give credit to North Florida, they worked harder than us today. We never settled into the game and didn't establish a good tempo. We didn't finish the chances we did create and it costs us. We've got to take a hard look at how play away from home as well. All of our losses have come on the road, obviously we need to be mentally stronger. I have faith in these players; they know they've got to get themselves moving in the right direction. We need to regroup and learn from what's worked for us in these non-conference games and what hasn't worked."
NEXT UP
League play opens next weekend for the Eagles and UL Lafayette and UL Monroe come to town. Sun Belt play starts on Friday night at 7 p.m. against the Ragin' Cajuns. That match can be seen live on ESPN3.
Georgia State Falls to Davidson, 3-1
ATLANTA- After an excellent start to the season, GSU dropped the final non-conference match 3-1 to Davidson. The Panthers are now 6-1-2 for the season, heading into Sun Belt play.
The team was able to outshoot its opponent once again with 16 shots to Davidson’s 7, but four saves by the Wildcats stopped any offensive momentum. GSU went into the half trailing 1-0, the first time this season for the Panthers to trail at the break.
Senior Jenna Moore led the team in shots with three, two of which came off free kicks following Davidson fouls. Moore also had one of the team’s five shots on goal.
Trailing 3-0, sophomore Kylie Ruffule scored her first goal of the season off a free kick from Moore to close the score to 3-1. This was Ruffule’s first career goal.
“We knew Davidson would be very dangerous and they were. We made some mistakes that we can learn from, and now it’s time to prepare for conference play. Everybody is starting off 0-0 in the Sun Belt and we get to host both of the Louisiana teams this weekend,” head coach Derek Leader said following the game.
Georgia State plays host to UL Monroe and UL Lafayette on Friday and Sunday in the final two games of a current five-game home stand. Parking and admission are free.
Cajuns Drop Tilt at Houston
HOUSTON, Texas -- The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns soccer team fell to the Houston Cougars, 2-0 at Carl Lewis Field on Sunday afternoon to end the non-conference portion of their schedule.
The Cajuns (6-3-1) managed just 10 shot attempts, three coming on goal. Louisiana had a scoring opportunity in the 12th minute, missing wide on a header by junior midfielder Natalie Newman off a corner kick by sophomore Ashleigh Cade. They had four shot attempts in nearly a three-minute span but were unable to find the back of the net.
Houston broke the scoreless tie in the 27th minute following a goal by Selena Peters.
The UL offense created a pair of opportunties in the final three minutes of the first half, but failed to put points on the board.
Houston's Desiree Bowen tacked on the match's second goal at the 80-minute mark after taking a pass from Shayne Clewett and finding the back of the net.
Louisiana juniors Lea Raedle and Kimberly Grasso co-led the Cajuns with two shot attempts each (one on goal each).
"We didn't have our stuff today," Cajuns head coach Scot Wieland said. "We weren't sharp on our offensive possessions and it cost us. However, we can build on what we accomplished in our non-conference schedule and take those positives as we head into conference play."
Senior goalkeeper Lindsey Stocks played the first half, allowing a goal and saving five shots as her record dropped to 2-1-1. Freshman Kristen Eddy took over to start the second half and saved a season-high five shots while allowing a score.
The loss snaps a program-record six-match unbeaten streak.
The Cajuns will begin Sun Belt Conference play next Friday, Sept. 25 at Georgia Southern for a 6 p.m. first kick.
Warhawks Win Third Consecutive to Close Out Non-Conference Play
MONROE, La. – Junior Antonia Land kicked in the game-winner in the 73rd minute as the ULM soccer program was able to shake off Southern, 1-0 after a convincing second half on Sunday at the ULM Soccer Complex.
“Southern made it hard to play against because it bunkered up the game. We didn’t penetrate well in the first half but we really came to life in the second and I give our girls a lot of credit,” said ULM head coach Roberto Mazza. “This was one of those games where you had to stay patient and capitalize on your chances.”
ULM (6-4-1) wrapped up non-conference play on a three-game winning-streak, all on shutouts. The Warhawks also upped their unbeaten streak at home to seven including six victories.
Land’s goal came after a run down the left side by Maia Mumford. The freshman placed a centering pass to Land who was open at the center of the six-yard box and blasted it into the net.
“The goal was started by a smart heads-up play by Jenna Pillon after a throw-in as we caught them when they weren’t ready. Maia did a great job crossing it into Land for the game-winner,” Mazza said.
It marked the first goal of the season for Land, who made her sixth appearance of the year, and sixth score of her career. Mumford’s assist was the first of her career.
ULM outshot Southern (0-6) in the game 26-6 including 18-1 in the second half. The Warhawks also held a big 13-0 edge in corner kicks. Senior Karlea Fehr recorded a game-high five shots while junior Jenna Pillon and sophomore Danielle Sabathe took four apiece.
Defensively, junior Whitney Tuckfield, sophomore Danielle LaFrance and freshman Kelsey Dazalla all played 90 minutes to help preserve ULM’s fourth shutout of the season.
Freshman Brooke-Lynn Scroggins earned the start in net and made four saves. Freshman Julia Idalis Gonzalez (4-2-1) came in at half and picked up the win.
“We are happy going into conference play with a winning record and three straight shutouts,” Mazza said.
The Warhawks will now turn their attention to Sun Belt Conference opponents as they kick off the SBC slate next weekend beginning on Friday at Georgia State at 7:00 p.m.
Jones Bags Hat Trick as Jaguars Cruise Past Southern Miss
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – University of South Alabama sophomore Ashlynn Jones (Pickerington, Ohio) recorded her first career hat trick to lead the women's soccer team to a 4-0 victory at Southern Miss Sunday afternoon.
The Jaguars complete their non-conference schedule with a 6-2-1 record; the Golden Eagles drop to 2-4-3.
"I was very pleased with how we played today," USA head coach Graham Winkworth said. "I was a bit nervous going in because Southern Mississippi is a local rival, and the last time we came here it was a very close game that went to overtime. I felt that an early goal was very important for us and we were fortunate that we worked hard and were able to create one. That really helped settle us down quickly."
South Alabama recorded 21 shots and put 11 of those on goal, compared to six and one for Southern Miss. Jones scored on all three shots, while sophomore Rio Hardy (Workington, England) had four attempts with three hitting the target.
"I'm happy with creating chances and I like to have at least a 50 percent shot-on-goal ratio," Winkworth said. "With 21 shots and 11 on target, it means we were working their goalkeeper. I was happy offensively and pleased for Ashlynn that she managed to get herself a hat-trick."
Jones wasted little time finding the net, converting a pass from sophomore Chardé Hannah (Tupelo, Miss.) at the 2:57 mark, then put the Jags up 2-0 just over 30 minutes later on a penalty kick.
The hat trick was completed in the 62nd minute thanks to an assist from freshman Jemma Purfield (Cottingham, England).
"She played very well," Winkworth said. "Her movement off the ball is improving all the time and she's finding more gaps. The first goal was good work from Chardé down the right and she put in a nice cross. Even though it was headed in, it was pretty much a tap-in for Ashlynn. It was a nice, well-worked goal. On the second one, she created the penalty with some excellent ball work. She was composed and it was a good finish.
"The third one was a wonderful team goal. There were some excellent passes and Jemma put her in. Ashlynn still had plenty of work to do, and again, put a nice, composed finish in to the far post."
Sophomore Danielle Henley (Hattiesburg, Miss.) completed the scoring almost a minute later at 63:05 for her second goal of the season.
USA sophomore Courtney Baum (Cumming, Ga.) stopped the only shot on target for her second shutout of the season and lowered her goals against average to 0.75.
"We're focused on defending as a team, from center forwards to goalkeeper, and today we did that," Winkworth said. "It's not easy to do when you're doing it in 90-degree weather. I was proud of the way we defended. Today one of the things we did to help us defensively was keep possession of the ball. If we have possession, then it's very difficult for our opponents to score.
"We did well looking after the ball against a team that also likes to possess the ball. I was happy that we managed to maintain possession because that's the best way of defending."
The Jaguars start Sun Belt Conference play Friday at in-state rival Troy. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Prater's Hat Trick Lifts Bobcats to Fifth Straight
SAN MARCOS, Texas – The first Texas State hat trick in over five seasons by junior forward Lauren Prater led the Texas State soccer team to a 4-2 victory over former Southland Conference foe Lamar Sunday afternoon. Prater scored one goal in the first and two more in the second to lead the Bobcats to its fifth consecutive and sixth overall victory of the season.
Texas State (6-2) got on the board in the 17th minute with Prater's first goal of the contest. Senior forward Lynsey Curry fed the ball to Prater who tapped it into the net on the right side.
Lamar countered with its first goal of the contest of the 29th minute and the teams proceeded to go into the half tied at one goal apiece.
The second half of play started off slow but, in the 62nd minute, Prater struck again with the ultimate game-winner with another pass from Curry. Curry finished the contest with a career-high three assists after she assisted Ali Jones' first goal of the season in the 72nd minute.
Prater's third goal of the contest came less than a minute after her second and was assisted by Maddie Nichols.
The hat trick by Prater was the first Bobcat hat trick since Britney Curry recorded three against Grambling State on Sept. 12, 2010. Prater has now recorded a team-high seven goals as the Bobcat enter into the conference season.
Texas State finished the contest with 18 total shots including 10 on goal compared to just seven shots by the Cardinals. Prater led the way for the Bobcats with eight shots.
The Bobcats will remain at home to begin conference play this upcoming weekend, beginning with Little Rock at 7 p.m. Friday evening.
Troy Ends Non-Conference Schedule with Win over Belmont
NASHVILLE, Tennessee – Troy scored the go-ahead goal just one minute after Belmont tied the game at one, for a 2-1 victory on Sunday afternoon at Rose Park.
Haley Roberson scored the game-winning goal in the 76th minute for her first goal of the season, and as a Troy Trojan. Roberson found the back of the net off a shot that was deflected inside the box.
Troy (7-2) fired six shots in the first half before Alissa Jones ripped a shot in the 40th minute that landed in the upper left side of the net for the first goal of the game and her third of the season.
"We are extremely proud of the ladies in their effort today. Anytime you can go on the road and win two games it is a very good effort from the team," Jason Hamilton said. "Sunday games are extremely hard because you have been on the road for three or four days. Belmont brought in an amazing amount of energy and we were able to match that energy. Now we will turn our focus to beginning conference play."
Meg Howard scored the lone goal for Belmont (1-7-1) and tied the game at one in the 74th minute as she scored via header in the right corner of the goal.
The Trojans took 15 shots in the match, with 11 landing on goal. Jones led the way with six shots, three on goal. Brooke McKee took three shots and all three landed on goal.
Sydnay Tucker (2-0) earned her second straight start for the Trojans and came up huge with four saves in the match. The Troy defense helped Tucker and only allowed eight shots, six of which came in the first half.
The Trojans return home to take on in-state foe South Alabama on Friday at 7 p.m. The Jaguars defeated the Trojans last season in the Sun Belt Tournament championship game to clinch a spot in the NCAA Tournament.