The Sam Houston State soccer squad, highlighted by the senior class, has made their fair share of marks on the program record book in recent memory. On Friday night, in the home finale, they etched their names one more time, downing Stephen F. Austin, 1-0 at Pritchett Field.
The win snapped the Ladyjacks (9-7-2 overall, 8-1-2 Southland) 32-match league unbeaten streak, the longest in the country, and provided the Bearkats (8-6-3 overall, 5-3-2 SLC) their first victory against the in-state rival since 2010.
“The one thing I said to the players when I talked to them a few minutes ago was that it's not where you start, it's where you end,” eighth-year head coach Tom Brown said. “Obviously, that's a great win for us and hopefully it will be something we can continue to point back to as we get into the conference tournament.”
In the 69th minute, Mariah Titus lined up for a free kick on the left sideline, perfectly firing a ball into Jordan Jarzombek, who put a left-footed shot into the back of the net from just inside the far post.
“It means a lot to win in our last home game and with it being senior night,” Jarzombek said. “This win means a lot to me. Being a junior, I want to show this team means a lot to me. I want to prove we have what it takes to knock off the number one team.”
Sam Houston held the Ladyjacks to just one shot in the first half, which came four minutes into the match.
The Bearkats took five first-half shots including a ball fired in from Ashley Alonzo in the 35th minute from the top of the box, forcing Ladyjacks' keeper Lillie Ehlert to lunge to her left for the save.
Twelve minutes into the second half, Titus sent in a corner for Maya Van Londen headed toward the near post where Kylie Dick took a shot on goal, cleared off the line by an SFA defender.
SFA had a pair of opportunities in the 57th minute when the Ladyjacks' right back sent a ball to the left flank and Rachel Owens, left alone on the left side, took a crack that was deflected by goalkeeper Kylie Hambleton, ricocheting to Hanna Barker whose attempt was also saved.
“We know we can play with any team if we come out to play,” Titus said. “If we have the mentality that we came out with tonight – we wanted to win, play together and be a team – if we come out with that every game in Arkansas, I feel like we've got a chance.”
Sam Houston tallied 10 shots, including six on goal and held SFA to five shots and three on goal. The Bearkats flexed their muscle defensively, including Hambleton, one of 10 seniors on the team, logged three saves.
“It's been a great senior class,” Brown said. “One of their things was really getting in and changing the culture of the team. They are the definition of a team. The girls do a lot together. Tonight, the players that weren't on the field were very supportive and the players that were on, fought for each other.”
The Bearkats close out their season on Sunday with a 1 p.m. match vs. Incarnate Word. The match, originally scheduled for Tuesday, will have an impact on Southland Conference Tournament seeding as Sam Houston, currently the No. 4 seed, could jump up to the No. 3 seed.
“I think this gives us great momentum,” Brown said. “Getting a win against them will definitely be a confidence boost for the team. If Stephen F. Austin is the top standard in the conference, then we feel like we can play with them and other teams of that caliber.”
