Junior midfielder Emily Edenstrom bagged her first goal of the season just seven minutes into the game to spark a five-goal explosion by the Sam Houston State women's soccer team, as they beat Lamar 5-2.
Edenstrom, who missed all of last season with an injury, received a pass from sophomore Ashley Alonzo near the top of the box and fired a right footed shot into the bottom corner of the goal. The goal seemed to open the floodgates for the Bearkats (5-7-1, 3-3 SLC) who had scored just four goals in Southland play this season.
“I thought we did a very good job of trying to set an attacking mentality tonight,” Bearkat head coach Tom Brown said. “We really worked on improving our play and I thought last weekend, even though we didn't get wins, that our play had improved. Our passing had improved and our mobility up front had improved. For us the last piece was getting the goals and tonight they came plenty.”
Sophomore Shelby McDaniel doubled the Bearkats lead five minutes after the opener with a curling free kick. McDaniel's shot went over the wall and curved into the bottom corner well out of the goalkeeper's reach.
Lamar scored in the 38th minute through a fantastic solo effort from Jannet Hernandez to cut into the Bearkat lead.
The Kats came out of the halftime break and put the pressure right back on Lamar. Three minutes after the interval, midfielder Mariah Titus attempted to cross in from the right side but the ball sailed over the keeper and into the net.
The goal was Titus' team-leading sixth of the season.
SHSU's lead was extended through some tough-luck defending for Lamar. A great diving save by Cardinal goalkeeper Zoey Stephenson bounced off one of her defenders and into the net for an own goal.
Freshman Jacey Hamilton capped off the scoring for Sam Houston just moments after coming on as a substitute. Fellow freshman substitute Allie Johnson crossed into the box and Hamilton headed it into the back of the net.
“I thought we did a good job of getting goals from distance tonight and creating opportunities. I was very excited about the last goal. Some of our players who aren't starters for us were able to get in and get connected. Jacey (Hamilton) did a great job of finishing,” Brown said.
Lamar grabbed a late goal to make the final score 5-2.
The Bearkats are off this Sunday but return to action at home against Central Arkansas Friday at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, the Kats host Oral Roberts at 1 p.m.
