Down fell the leagues’ co-leader Sunday afternoon at the Southeastern Soccer Complex. Sophomore midfielder Kerry McWhirter helped the Lady Lions topple Southland Conference (SLC) juggernaut Stephen F. Austin (SFA), 2-1, with a late game-winning goal at the 72 minute mark.
The Ladyjacks, who had a 10-match winning streak shattered, dropped their first conference match of the season and fell to 11-4-1 overall and 4-1-1 SLC. Southeastern (10-2-3 overall, 3-1-1 SLC) continued to build momentum late in the season as they picked up their third consecutive victory.
“We’re extremely pleased to come out with a victory over a very talented Stephen F. Austin team,” stated Southeastern head coach Blake Hornbuckle in a Lions Athletics Media Relations press release. “We did a good job of executing the game plan, absorbing their pressure and making the most of the opportunities we created,” said Hornbuckle.
Despite the Ladyjacks’ 15-6 shot advantage, Southeastern seized the opportunities to strike at pivotal moments during the contest, as both McWhirter and fellow sophomore forward/midfielder Lauren Stillians picked up their third goal on the season. Lady Lions senior midfielder Natalie Santana had a big game with an assist to Stillians, allowing her to climb to the top of the SLC career record book with 26 assists.
McWhirter’s goal came to fruition by way of two assists from sophomores forward Maiya Cooper and midfielder Karly Dagys respectively. Continuing to dominate the net, junior goalkeeper Lacey Bockhaus put forth an outstanding performance with six saves on goal. The lone Ladyjacks’ score was by Kim Kimmel, who was assisted by Kylie Louw.
“We had several strong individual performances today,” stated Hornbuckle. “Maiya [Cooper] and Lauren [Stillians] both created a lot of pressure up top and we were extremely pleased with the efforts of Natalie [Santana] and Jaci Teresinski [freshman forward] in the midfield. Shanyce Shaw [freshman defender] was also excellent in the back.”
The Lady Lions struck first when Santana found Stillians late in the first period. At the 39 minute mark, Santana took the free kick and fired it to Stillians, who ran left across the face of the net. Penetrating two SFA defenders, Stillians blasted a shot towards the right that ricocheted off the right-front post and behind Ladyjack goaltender Courtney Bauder for a goal and a 1-0 Southeastern lead.
Stephen F. Austin knotted the score 1-1 when Louw blew past a Lady Lions’ defender to the right, pulling Bockhaus up and out of the net. As Louw began to strike the ball towards the goal, she pulled up and passed it to Kimmel, who sat in the left flank for an open-net score.
Cooper’s tenacity and vigor led the Lady Lions in a strong finish to a tightly contested match. Flying past Ladyjack defenders, Cooper showed her speed and tracked down a loose ball with about 13 minutes remaining to play.
Cooper moved the ball agilely downfield to penetrate deep down the left flank and fed the ball to Dagys, who had settled in on the far side of the net. Dagys, in turn, chipped the ball to McWhirter down in front for a point blank score and a 2-1 Lady Lions lead.
The Ladyjacks showed why they had been atop the SLC standings all season, as they relentlessly attacked the Lady Lions’ net. However, Southeastern’s defense may have bended but it would not break. In the final 11 minutes of regulation the Lady Lions’ defense played inspired soccer, forcing several errant SFA shots while Bockhaus came up with a couple huge saves to safeguard the victory.
Southeastern’s two SLC wins this week kept their title hunt alive as the end of the regular season dwindles to a close. With the postseason right around the corner, the Lady Lions head into their final road trip of the season as they travel to battle with the UT-San Antonio Lady Roadrunners in SLC action this Friday night at 7 p.m.