The Lady Lions soccer team traveled to Texas to challenge one of the league’s top defense teams and the league’s current leading team.
They first took on Sam Houston State University of Huntsville, Texas, then faced off with Stephen F. Auston of Nacogdoches, Texas that following Sunday.
On Friday, October 16, both the Southeastern Lady Lions and Sam Houston Bearkats met their match and finished 0-0 after double overtime.
The opposing teams finished the game with a combination of 32 shots attempted, but were unable to make it in the net. Junior goalkeeper Hope Sabadash made two saves in the first half, one save in the second half followed by two saves in overtime, recording her Southland-leading seventh shutout for the season.
Junior forward Bri Singh made the first attempt on goal with a header in the seventh minute, only to be saved by SHSU’s Kylie Hambleton.
Following this play, multiple shots were taken by the Lady Lions’ sophomore midfielder and forward Maddie Kresevic, freshman midfielder Elizabeth McMurray and senior forward Kayla Vera.
In the beginning of the second half, senior midfielder Gisenia Utreras, had a shot blocked after by a wide shot taken by freshman midfielder, Christina Cutura.
Halfway through the second half, Singh attempted a shot, but it was saved by Hambleton. Hambleton again made another save for a shot by Cutura in the 71st minute.
Yellow cards were pulled on Kresevic and McMurray in the 75th and 81st minute respectively. One minute following, another yellow card was pulled on SHSU’s Caitlin Schwartz.
In the first minute of the first overtime period, senior defender Maddie Allen took a shot that was saved by Hambleton.
The last shots of the game in overtime made by Singh and Cheyanne Maxwell made no headway, resulting in a overall tie for the team.
As for the team’s overall performance, Head Coach Blake Hornbuckle felt both teams did well in their performances, despite the game ending in a tie.
“We actually played a lot of opportunities,” said Hornbuckle. “Their goalkeeper came up big, and their team did carry a few balls throughout the line against Sam Houston. We played well, but we just were unable to finish with the ball. I felt that our entire backline did well. Our goalkeeper, of course, Hope Sabadash [did well also], and Gisenia Utreras had a good bounty attack along with Kayla Vera.”
On Sunday, October 18, the Lady Lions faced the conference leading Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks. Southeastern (9-4-2, 4-3-1) out-shot Stephen F. Austin (7-6-2, 6-0-2) 16-12, but was shut out for the second straight match.
In the seventh minute, SFA’s junior midfielder Amanda Doyle made her seventh goal of the season assisted by sophmore forward Hanna Barker against the Lady Lions.
For the remainder of the first half, multiple shots were taken by McMurray, Vera, Utreras and sophomore midfielder Ana Zadro. All shots were blocked by SFA’s sophmore goalkeeper Lillie Ehlert.
The Ladyjacks had the upper hand going into the second half, but the Lady Lions would not give up without a fight.
Sabadash made a save in the 48th minute. Kresevic followed with multiple shots on SFA goal; sophomore midfielder Maggie Ramsey, Utreras and Vera also had opportunities on goal.
In the last ten minutes of the game, Stephen F. Austin made their second and final goal, locking in the win.
Hornbuckle reflected on the team’s overall performance and felt some of the team members did well despite the team’s 2-0 loss.
“Overall, we created a number of chances, but it unfortunately did not go our way,” said Hornbuckle. “I’m just looking forward to Senior Day coming up this Friday, and we just have to work to get steady and better in training,” said Hornbuckle.
Up next for the Lady Lions is Senior Day at Strawberry Stadium against Central Arkansas on Friday, October 23.