Streaks & seeding on the line Friday night
10/31/2014 6:18:00 AM | Soccer
Sam Houston State and Houston Baptist will meet Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Pritchett Field with the second-seed in next week's Southland Tournament on the line. One of the teams will also have a lengthy winning streak snapped, as the Bearkats (7-2) are currently riding a four-game streak while the Huskies (6-1-2) have won five consecutive games.
It is the annual “Pink Out” game as well as the final “Free Food Friday” of the season. The first 100 students in attendance will have the opportunity to get free food from Pita Pit.
Along with earning the second seed comes a bye into the semifinals of the league tournament, which would be a first for the Kats.
Sophomore forward Allie Johnson was named the league's Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season after she scored the game-winner against Southeastern Louisiana last week. She leads the Southland with seven goals in league play this season.
Johnson is the spearhead of one of the league's most potent offenses. Sam Houston and SFA are tied for the Southland lead with 21 goals in nine conference games. Junior Ashley Alonzo is tied for second in the league with six goals, while Shelby McDaniel has scored five times overall this season.
The Bearkat defense is much improved in recent weeks and has allowed the third fewest goals in conference play. Goalkeeper Kylie Hambleton has posted three shutouts this season.
HBU's Patty Walrath is the reigning SLC Goalkeeper of the Week. This season she is 7-5-2 with a 0.98 goals-against average, a .829 save percentage, and four shutouts. Walrath is second in conference play with a 0.66 GAA and a .882 save percentage.
Natalie Hager leads the team with six goals and 12 points. Kristi O'Brien is second on the team with four goals and nine points. Rebekah Tovar leads the squad with four assists and has eight points on two goals. She leads the team with two game-winning tallies.
The Bearkats will close the regular season against Nicholls State Sunday at 1:00 p.m. and it will be “Senior Day” for four Sam Houston players. Madison Bible, Ashley Fluty, Megan Manis and Jessica Toms will be honored in a pregame ceremony before Sunday's regular-season finale.
