By CODY STARK
The Huntsville Item
HUNTSVILLE -- Before this season, the Sam Houston State soccer squad had never won three games in a row, but things have changed and the victories keep piling up.
Sophomore Luana Miessa buried home a goal in the 65th minute to lead the Bearkats to a 1-0 victory over Houston Baptist on Tuesday night at Prichett Field. The win marked the fifth straight for Sam Houston State, which improved to 5-2 on the season.
“The last couple of games we have been trying to get the rust off. We went 21 days without playing because of the hurricane and 10 of those without training, so we are trying to get back to where we were against South Alabama,” SHSU head coach Tom Brown said. “The team has a good heart and battles. Tonight was a nice, tough game for us, and I thought that was good that we had to do this going into conference. We are very pleased with what we have been doing.”
The game was a defensive battle most of the night and neither team was really able to get anything going offensively, especially in the first half. The Bearkats had nine shots before halftime, and only one of those came close to going in.
In the 10th minute, Miessa headed the ball in front of the Houston Baptist goal, but goal keeper Michelle Rich was able to get a hand up and poke the ball away from the right corner to keep the game scoreless.
But Miessa would eventually find the net. Twenty minutes into the second half, Bearkats midfielder Deanna Long crossed the ball into the box and Miessa kicked it to the right of backup goalie Randi Derringer for what would prove to be the game winner.
“This is a new experience for me because I used to be a midfielder but coach (Brown) moved me to forward,” Miessa said. “I'm glad to score in any game, but I'm so happy that I could do it tonight. I hope I can keep scoring to help my team.”
Sophomore Jenny Pence had another solid night for the Bearkats in the goal. She recorded six saves and extended her streak of not allowing a goal to 394 minutes. The last time Pence gave up a goal with in the 69th minute in a 3-1 loss to the University of Houston on Aug. 29.
“Jenny has done well,” Brown said. “She is playing well and has a lot of confidence. I also think that the team has a lot of confidence in her and that has allowed them to play better because they don't have to worry about what is going on behind them. Jenny is definitely very key to our success right now.”
Sam Houston had 15 shots on the night (six on goal), while Houston Baptist had seven shots in the loss.
The Bearkats open Southland Conference action Friday at Nicholls State. The game is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. in Thibodaux, La.
