Houston Baptist forward Cindy Hedden lofted a desperation shot from 18 yards into the far right corner of the goal to give the Huskies a 1-0 women's soccer victory over Sam Houston Friday night.
The contest was the season opener for both teams. Sam Houston dominated the game offensively with multiple scoring chances but the Kats never could put the goal in the back of the net.
"It was unbelievable," Sam Houston head coach Tom Brown said. "We had six shots on goal to their three with two really good scoring opportunities and some other that could have developed into something. This was a tough one."
Four times in the first half, Sam Houston had scoring opportunities, the most promising a one-on-one attack by freshman forward Emily Edenstrom that ended in the goalkeeper's hands. The Bearkats took eight shots. All but two resulted in saves.
The winning goal came after a long punt by HBU goalkeeper Lara Johnson that the Bearkat defense was unable to clear. Brandy Hart finally won possesion and passed to Hedden for the score.
Goalkeeper Jenny Pence made a dive but the shot slipped past. Pence made three big saves during the game including one just two minutes into the second half that kept the score 0-0.
"Just a couple of minutes into the second half, Jenny made a big-time save on a header after a cross to the far post," Brown said. "The offense put together some good combinations but we didn't seemed focused on finishing."
The Bearkats continue action Sunday at 7 p.m. when they travel to play the University of Houston.
The Bearkats will be looking for their first soccer victory ever over the Cougars Sunday. Houston is 4-0 against the Kats, winning 3-1 in 2008, 1-0 in both 2005 and 2007 and 3-2 in 2004.
Sam Houston will play four matches on the road before its home opener at Pritchett Field against North Texas on Friday Sept. 3. SHSU Student Activities is hosting a special soccer tail gate party prior to the home opener against the Eagles at 7 p.m. Sept. 3.
The tailgate party begins at 6 p.m.
Admission to Sam Houston State women's soccer games at Pritchett Field is free. For more information about tickets to other Sam Houston athletic events, visit www.gobearkats.com, or come by or call the SHSU 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.
