The Bearkats picked up a vital three points and managed to move up the Southland standings with a 1-0 win over Central Arkansas Friday night at Pritchett Field.
Substitute Shannon Shields jumped on a rebound and tucked it into the back of the net for the game-winning goal in the 35th minute. Shelby McDaniel shot from just outside the box and the UCA goalkeeper, Kaitlyn Keith, spilled it allowing Shields to jump on it.
“Shannon scored an important goal for us tonight,” said SHSU head coach Tom Brown. “She worked extremely hard and followed up on the original shot. We feel great to get a win tonight. Central Arkansas did a great job, especially in the second half, of putting us under pressure and our back line was able to hold it together.”
Goalkeeper Kylie Hambleton was outstanding yet again. The sophomore made seven saves including a diving effort with just a few minutes left in the game.
Central Arkansas put the ball in the back of the net late in the game but it was ruled offside and waved off.
The Bears managed to fire off 18 shots, with 10 of those coming in the second half. Hambleton and the SHSU defense stood up to heavy pressure from UCA late in the game.
The Bearkats are now 4-3 in league play while Central Arkansas falls to 3-4. Sunday's match for the Kats is against a tough opponent in Oral Roberts who is 6-2 in the SLC.
