Soccer in fight for top spots in league race
10/29/2010 10:00:00 AM | Soccer
In the previous seven years, the soccer team's highest league finish was fourth place in 2005 and 2009.
The Kats play host to UTSA Friday at 7 p.m. and Texas State Sunday at 1 p.m. Both matches are on Sam Houston's home field at Pritchett.
Both the Roadrunners and the Bobcats are in the thick of the fight for the top of the Southland table with Sam Houston. Also in the middle of the race is Stephen F. Austin. The Kats and the Jacks will alternate opponents in a puzzle that is almost as confusing as it is exciting.
Currently, UTSA and Southeastern Louisiana (both 5-1-1 in league action) are tied at the top with 16 standings points (three points each for five victories and one point for a tie). Sam Houston (5-2) is in third place with 15 points. Texas State and SFA (both 4-2-1) are in fourth place with 13 points.
"At least our fate is in our own hands," Sam Houston head coach Tom Brown said. "If we win both matches Friday and Saturday we are assured of a top two finish and a bye in the first round of the Southland Conference tournament next week."
The Lions have a less difficult task in front of them. They can wrap up at least a tie for the regular season title with wins over Central Arkansas (2-3-2) and Northwestern State (2-4-1).
"Both UCA and Northwestern State still have a shot at the final berth in the tournament, so it will be a fight for Southeastern," Brown said. "But we just have to worry about our matches."
The Southland post-season tournament begins in San Marcos Thursday, Nov. 4, with the No. 4 and 5 seeds playing at 4:30 p.m. and the No. 3 and 6 seeds matching up at 7 p.m. The semifinals are on Friday and finals Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. Winner of the tournament earns the Southland's NCAA Division I tournament automatic bid.
Sam Houston already has clinched a second consecutive tournament appearance. Last year the Kats lost 2-1 to regular season champion Texas State in the semifinals.
Both matches for the Bearkats this weekend will be challenges. UTSA will be seeking to avenge a 3-2 overtime loss to Sam Houston in the first round of last year's post-season event. The Roadrunners are led by forward Laylla da Cruz who has five goals this season. Roadrunner goalkeeper and the UTSA defense are allowing just 1.03 goals per game this season as they have built a 10-6-1 record for the year.
Texas State brings the Southland's top goal-scorer to town in Britney Curry who has tallied 12 times.
Sam Houston freshman Tricia Mallory ranks third in the league in scoring with 10 goals, the most tallies ever by a first year Bearkat player.
Prior to the 7 p.m. kickoff Friday with UTSA, the five senior members of the soccer team will be honored.
The seniors are midfielders Alex Clifton and Adriana Vasquez, defender Nichole Watkins and goalkeepers Jenny Pence and Kelley Sikinger.
The UTSA match Friday kicks off at 7 p.m., but beginning at 6 p.m., students are invited to Pritchett Field for "Soccer Tailgate 2" that evening.
The tailgate party will feature free McKenzie's BBQ and Coca-Cola Products. Admission to Sam Houston women's soccer at Pritchett Field is free.
For information about tickets to other Bearkat athletic home events, go online at www.gobearkats.com or visit the Sam Houston athletic ticket office located 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.
