LAKE CHARLES, LA -- Playing center forward instead of her usual spot on the back line, sophomore Deana Long scored the Bearkats' first goal and assisted on the second as Sam Houston State defeated McNeese 2-1 in the Southland Conference women's soccer opener for both teams Friday night.
In the 18th minute, Long took a pass from midfield by Adriana Vasquez just outside the McNeese box. The Cowgirls' goalkeeper came out to stop Long, but missed the ball and Long right footed a shot in from 25 feet out.
Five minutes later, Long's cornerkick found Kate Wesneski open in front of the goal and the Bearkats went up 2-0 on Wesneski's goal. The win upped Sam Houston's season record to 3-5-2.
McNeese State's Megan Rogers scored on a header off a cornerkick in the 77th minute. The Cowgirls applied lots of pressure late in the game, but the Bearkat defense held on for the victory. Jenny Pence, winner of back-to-back Southland "Goalkeeper of the Week" honors, had another sterling match in goal. Pence made 13 saves including three game-savers in the last 10 minutes. McNeese took 28 shots, 18 in the second half.
"Picking up a road win in your first Southland Conference match is a great feeling," SHSU head coach Tom Brown said. "We've been looking for some more offense up front and decided to try Deana up there. It's great when a decision like that works out. McNeese really put on the pressure in the second half and, at times, we paniced a little. But we held on. This is a good win for our young team."
The victory was the second for Sam Houston in eight meetings during the seven-year history of the Bearkat program. The Bearkats also defeated McNeese in Huntsville last season.
Sam Houston will complete their weekend road series Sunday with a 2 p.m. contest with the Lamar Cardinals in Beaumont.
Sam Houston State's next home soccer match is Friday, Oct. 9 when the Bearkats play host to Southeastern Louisiana.
Admission to Bearkat home soccer matches at Pritchett Field is free.
For information about tickets to all Sam Houston sports events, go to www.gobearkats.com or contact the Sam Houston State athletic ticket office in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The ticket office telephone is (936) 294-1729.
