Amber Marinero scored one of two goals in the in the game against Incarnate Word. Rachel Taylor/The Lion's Roar
The Lady Lions faced Abilene Christian University in a 1-0 loss, which was followed by a 2-0 win against Incarnate Word this past weekend. These were the Lady Lions first home games against the Southland Conference.
Freshman goalkeeper Michaela Hawthorn blocked six shots. However, the Lady Lions struggled to gain momentum offensively in their first home game.
“We knew they were a good team, and we knew they were going to press us,” said freshman defender Matilda Hallas-Potts. “We all had individual goals, which I think we did well, and we did good at defending. We just need to be more creative in the final third, and the chances will come.”
The Lady Lions failed to recover after conceding a goal in the first half to Abilene Christian freshman forward Christina Arteaga.
“The goal they scored was from distance,” said Head Coach Christopher McBride. “I think we didn’t create many chances, and we didn’t take our chances. We’ve got to capitalize on the opportunities we’re making.”
The loss marks the first time the Lady Lions soccer team has lost a conference home opener since 2011.
“We really needed to transfer the ball well, and we needed to play through the midfield,” said freshman defender Abby Johnson. “It’s something that we’re working on as a team and need to keep developing on.”
Friday’s game was also Greek Night, and Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity presented McBride with a check for $2,200 as part of their Lion Up for Milk Campaign. The fraternity raised money to provide the Lady Lions with post-workout milk drinks.
“Earlier this year, coach McBride spoke to us and our alumni and shared with us that over 20 studies show the benefit of recovering with the high-quality protein and nutrients in low-fat chocolate milk,” said Phi Chapter President Cameron Jenkins. “Subjects who work out strenuously and drank milk after a workout experienced less exercise induced muscle damage than those who drank typical sports drinks.”
Following Friday’s loss to Abilene Christian, the Lady Lions prepared to face Incarnate Word.
“We’re not going to dwell on the games that we lose,” said Johnson. “We are going to learn from them, keep pushing forward, and keep moving. We are going to win. We are ready to win. More than ever, I think we are tired of losing.”
Sunday’s game was delayed for two hours after a short start due to lightning. After restarting play, the team went on to score a goal in the 26th minute mark. Sophomore forward Amber Marinero made the goal with an assist from freshman midfielder Gabrielle Anderson.
The Lady Lions made a second goal at the 67th minute mark by junior midfielder Vanessa Arzaluz with an assist from senior midfielder Maddie Kresevic.
Hawthorn made seven saves, which cinched the Lady Lions 2-0 win against Incarnate Word.
Their next match is an away game on Sept. 29 against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.