Soccer completes another record-breaking season
11/12/2009 11:00:00 AM | Soccer
For the second year in a row, the Sam Houston State women's soccer team posted a record-breaking season.
With all 11 starters returning next year, the future definitely is bright for the Bearkats.
Playing at times with nine freshman on the field, the soccer team produced its highest Southland Conference finish in the seven-year history of the Bearkat program and tied the team's all-time record for victories in a season. Sam Houston capped off the year reaching the semi-finals of the Southland tournament in the Kats' third trip ever to post-season play.
Tom Brown, who came to Sam Houston from Angelo State in 2008, has directed to Bearkats to an 18-17-2 record in his two seasons directing the Bearkats.
"It's been exciting watching our young players buy into the system and perform," Brown said. "We've been working hard on the recruiting end to keep bringing in more young talent. The girls served notice at the Southland Conference tournament that Sam Houston is a program that deserves respect. With all the key parts to this year's team returning, we're excited about what's ahead for the future."
Included among the returnees for the 2010 season are four players who earned post-season honors for their performances this fall.
Goalkeeper Jenny Pence, defender Deanna Long and forward Kirby Zak each were named as honorable mention selections on the 2009 All-Southland Conference women's soccer squad.
Pence, a junior from Kingwood, twice earned Southland Conference "Goalkeeper of the Week" honors this season. Starting every match in goal for the Bearkats, Pence was part of six shutouts and totaled 140 saves. She ranks as Sam Houston's all-time leader in career shutouts (14) and goals against average (1.62).
Long, a sophomore from Kelowna, British Columbia, started 19 matches in the Bearkat back line. She earned Southland "Defensive Player of the Week" honors once and was part of the defense that shut out six opponents.
Zak, a freshman from Weatherford, was one of the top goalscorers in Southland Conference with nine goals and 10 assists. She twice earned Southland Conference "Offensive Player of the Week" and posted hat tricks in two matches.
Freshman forward Shelby Grissett of Sam Houston State was one of 11 players named to the Southland Conference Post-Season All-Tournament team Sunday.
Grissett scored the game-winning goal for the Bearkats with 11 seconds remaining in extra time as Sam Houston rallied to defeat UTSA in the tournament first round. She was the Bearkats' second-leading goal scorer with seven tallies.
This quartet led the 2009 team to a fourth place Southland Conference finish, the Bearkats' highest final regular season standing in the seven year history of the program. The Kats' 5-4 league won-loss total this year marks the first Southland winning record for Sam Houston.
The 5-4 record earned Sam Houston its highest Southland Conference post-season tournament berth ever in the team's third appearance in the event.
In the opening round 3-2 win over UTSA, the Bearkats scored 21 seconds into the contest, tallied their second goal with 31 seconds remaining to force overtime and finally kicked in the winning goal 11 ticks away from a penalty kick shoot-out.
The Kats threw a scare into the No. 1 seed Texas State, coming back from 2-0 down at halftime to score a goal with 18 minutes remaining and have several near misses that would have forced overtime again.
Sam Houston had never beaten UTSA in the first six years of the program, but posted a pair of victories over the Roadrunners in 2009, winning 2-0 in the regular season as well.
"In the semifinals at the tournament, we definitely showed improvement over our 4-0 loss to Texas State in San Marcos in the regular season," Brown said. "The team fought hard to reach the finals and just missed. But our performance at the Southland tournament is going to give this young team a lot of confidence going into next season. Overall, this year has given us a very strong foundation upon which to build."
SAM HOUSTON STATE SCHOOL RECORDS SET OR TIED IN 2009
Highest Southland finish: Fourth place
Best Southland Conference record: Won 5, Lost 4
Most season victories: Nine
Most goals by a freshman: 9, Kirby Zak
Most career shutouts: 17, Jenny Pence
Best career goals against average: 1.62, Jenny Pence
