HUNTSVILLE - Tricia Mallory took a pass from Hillary Ackerman for a wide open shot from 12 yards out in the 55th minute to give Sam Houston State the game-winning goal in a 2-1 non-conference women's soccer victory over Houston Baptist Sunday night at Pritchett Field.
Freshman Jessica Toms scored her first college goal to put Sam Houston up 1-0 in the 34th minute. Molly Missimer tied the contest with a goal four minutes later.
The outcome even both team's record at 1-1. Sam Houston lost 3-0 at Baylor Friday night in the Bearkats' season opener.
"Our goal tonight was to make sure we got the split on our first weekend," Sam Houston head coach Tom Brown said. "The team has made it one of their goals to go unbeaten at home. I was glad the team responded after the loss to a bigger, faster team at Baylor Friday. We saw some flashes of good things out there tonight. Now we just have to string those moments together."
The game was a fairly even affair with Sam Houston taking six cornerkicks to HBU's five and taking 10 shots to the Huskies' eight.
Junior defender Amanda Biega set up the opening goal heading down a ball at Tom's feet for the score at 33:42.
"That was a hard fought ball won by Amanda and Jessica has the ability to take those one time shots," Brown said. "She has a good eye for when the goalkeeper is out of position and it's not an accident she scored."
Hillary Ackerman set up the winning goal with a strong through ball past the last defender, putting Mallory one-on-one with the goalkeeper at the 54:20 mark.
"We had good organization and were able to keep the ball in play," Brown said. "Tricia did well to get it, spin it and bury it."
Junior Michele McCullough picked up her first victory in goal. McCullough made three saves.
Sam Houston hits the road next traveling to Tulsa for games with the Tulsa Hurricanes and Oral Roberts next Friday and Sunday.
