Hope Sabadash executes a goal kick.
Credit all photos to Mike Kiral/SLU Athletics

Just a week after winning the Southland Conference Championship, Lady Lions Soccer team traveled out of state to participate in the regional playoffs. 

On Saturday, November 14, the Lady Lions (13-5-4) travelled to Auburn, Alabama to play Auburn University (15-5-1) for the first round of playoffs. After taking many shots and a hard fought battle by the Lady Lions, the Auburn Tigers defeated the Lions 1-0. 

“We competed extremely well against Auburn and were very close to executing our game plan to pull off the upset,” said Head Coach Blake Hornbuckle. 

With 13 minutes remaining in the first half, Gisenia Utreras zigzagged and passed the ball to Amber Lasher who kicked too high. 

Katie Noonan’s shot was blocked with 10 minutes left. Not long after, Vanessa Arzaluz’s shot was knocked out and Maddie Kresevic’s headed a ball, but was blocked with a little over eight minutes remaining. In the final seconds, Utreras kicked the ball from 30 yards out.

Goalkeeper Hope Sabadash had 11 saves throughout the game, with eight saves in the first 45 minutes. Sabadash blocked a shot, dove to knock a ball out and had blocked a header.

“Hope Sabadash had a fantastic game against Auburn in goal,” said Hornbuckle. 

Sabadash is ranked extremely high on southland.org. She is ranked number one in shutouts and in goals against average. Sabadash is also ranked in the top 10 in saves per game and the top five in saves. With Sabadash’s hard work, the Lady Lions are ranked number one in shutouts and goals against average. Also, the Lady Lions are number one in assists and goals, and ranked in the top five for goals per game.

The Lady Lions’ first attempt at a shot was at the 20-minute mark, in the first half by Kayla Vera, but the shot was blocked by the Tiger defense. 

In the remaining 15 minutes of the first half, Sabadash dove to deflect two more shots and grabbed another. Sabadash did not stop there. She kept a one-goal score by diving to block an attempted goal by Casie Ramsier. 

Hornbuckle was proud of the team and felt they executed all games properly while playing as a team.

“I am proud of the team being able to handle anything that came their way and continue to move forward,” said Hornbuckle. “The team began the year with no true defenders on the back line in the starting lineup. We converted midfielders and forwards to establish the best back line in the conference in terms of goals allowed, shut outs and games won.”

In the second half, Maggie Ramsey attempted a goal, but was blocked by Sarah Le Beau. Sabadash, also in the second half, deflected and blocked five separate attempts from the Auburn offense keeping the final score at 1-0.

According to Hornbuckle, he would have done “nothing different” for this game. He also shared a special moment from the season. 

“The best moment for me was seeing the sheer joy on the faces of the team celebrating when we won the Southland Conference Tournament,” said Hornbuckle. 

For a complete list of the Lady Lion’s Soccer season stats, check out lionsports.net.

Gisenia Utreras (left, 6) battles Auburn’s Courtney Schell (8 )during the Lady Lions’ 1-0 loss
at Auburn in the first round of the Women’s College Cup Saturday night.
Credit all photos to Mike Kiral/SLU Athletics

Christina Cutrera (right, 7) battles Auburn’s Logan Beal (22) .
Credit all photos to Mike Kiral/SLU Athletics