Shelby Grissett and Kate Wesneski each scored a goal to lead Sam Houston State to a 2-0 women's soccer victory over UTSA Friday night at Roadrunner Field.

Bearkat goalkeeper Jenny Pence faced 16 shots, making nine saves as she picked up her sixth shutout of the season.

The victory put Sam Houston one step closer to clinching a Southland Conference post-season tournament berth, something the Kats have achieved only twice in the six-year history of the women's soccer program.

The top six finishers in the regular season standings earn tournament spots. Coming into Friday's match in fifth place in the league, Sam Houston upped its Southland record to 4-2 and evened its season mark to 7-7-2. UTSA, ranked third in the league, drops to 4-2-1 in Southland action and is 9-8-1 for the year.

The victory marked Sam Houston's first win over UTSA in the Bearkat women's soccer seven-year history.

Grissett, a freshman forward who started for the first time since an injury in early September, scored the Bearkats' first goal just 5:18 into the contest. Grissett took a pass from Paige Rodriguez, dribbled into the box and fired a shot past the goalkeeper into the far side of the goal mouth.

UTSA just missed tying the game as Kia Gonzales put a shot off the cross bar in the 15th minute. Three minutes later, however, the Kats went up 2-0 as Wesneski headed in a cornerkick from Rodriguez at the 18:07 mark.

"Having Shelby back helps us offensively. Picking up the early goal certainly gave us a lift," SHSU head coach Tom Brown said. "Kate's header off the cornerkick for our second goal was just an outstanding play. This was a big win for us on the road."

Sam Houston completes its final regular season road trip Sunday at 1 p.m. when the Bearkats take on Southland league leader Texas State in San Marcos. The Bobcats own a 5-0-1 conference record and stand 10-5-1 for the year.

Following this weekend's road trip, the Bearkats end the regular season with home matches against Central Arkansas on Friday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. and Northwestern State on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 1 p.m. Both matches will be played at Pritchett Field.