It was a heartbreaker for the Bearkat soccer team Sunday as they dropped their second consecutive overtime game. Stephen F. Austin midfielder Hailey Hunt buried the game winner in the 95th minute to give the Ladyjacks a 1-0 win.
“SFA has had a very good program for a long time and they were picked to win the league. But I thought we gave a very good accounting of ourselves today,” SHSU head coach Tom Brown said. “We thought we had a good game at Northwestern State. Unfortunately we've dropped two games in overtime and dropped six potential points. The good thing is that I think our play is getting better.”
Sam Houston (4-7-1, 2-3 SLC) had some quality chances in the game but couldn't find a winning goal. With eight minutes until halftime Ashley Alonzo put the ball in the back of the net but she was ruled offside and the goal was waved off.
A few minutes into the second half Ashley Fluty smashed a shot off of the crossbar from outside of the box. The ball fell to her feet after a corner kick was cleared and she struck the ball cleanly and beat the keeper but was unlucky to hit woodwork.
Goalkeeper Kylie Hambleton made several amazing saves to keep the Bearkats in the game. In the first half she was forced to make a kick save to stop the Ladyjacks' best chance in the first period.
In the second half Hambleton made a remarkable double save. She first slid in to stop an SFA breakaway but the ball fell to another SFA player who quickly fired and Hambleton made a reaction save.
The sophomore finished with eight saves after playing the entire 95 minutes.
“We've still got a lot of conference play left,” said Brown. “We'll have a good week of training and get ready for the next game.”
Sam Houston State will play their next five games at home. The Kats host Lamar Friday, Oct. 11, at 7 p.m.
