Tough schedule has prepared Kats for league play
9/17/2014 2:46:00 PM | Soccer
It's been a tough start to the season for the Sam Houston women's soccer team, posting a 1-6 record against tough competition. But the slate has been wiped clean as the Bearkats head into conference play this weekend.
The goal each season for Southland teams is to win the conference tournament and receive the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Sam Houston head coach Tom Brown believes that playing quality non-conference opponents gives his squad the best chance to make it to the NCAA postseason.
“We've had a very tough preseason with all of the games we've played against really good teams,” Brown said. “Being in those types of games definitely helps us see what might be weaknesses that we can start solving before we get into conference play. It also helps our players because they're playing at a quicker pace than what they'll be called upon to play in during the Southland season. It helps them gain some confidence that when they get into those games they can deal with the pressure.”
The Kats' first seven opponents have combined for a 29-18-2 record, including the undefeated and nationally-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders. Conversely the current Southland-leaders, Southeastern Louisiana, have faced teams with a combined record of 16-30-4.
“The Big 12 teams we've played are not the kind of teams we'll see in the conference. So I think when we can compete in these games it will give us a lot of positive feelings that we can compete in the Southland,” said Brown.
Sam Houston, who was picked to finish third in the league's preseason polls, will have the benefit of playing the first four conference games at home. Then after a five-game road stretch they will close the regular season back at Pritchett Field.
Midfielder Shelby McDaniel, the team's creative force in the midfield, leads the team with two goals this season, while Allie Johnson and Mariah Titus have each scored once. Playing as the team's main striker, Johnson will be called upon to add more goals in league play. Titus will also be looking to add to her goal total after leading the team with eight goals last season.
Goalkeeper Kylie Hambleton will hope to return to the form that earned her freshman of the year honors two seasons ago. The veteran 'keeper has been called upon to work with a pair of freshman defenders in the back line. The freshmen Ashley Long and Caitlyn Schwartz have paired well together in recent games.
The Kats open with two of the Southland's newest schools, Abilene Christian and Incarnate Word, during the opening weekend of league play. McNeese State and Northwestern State come to Pritchett the following weekends. After road trips to Stephen F. Austin, Lamar, Central Arkansas, A&M-Corpus Christi and Southeastern Louisiana, the Kats finish up with Houston Baptist and Nicholls at home.
