Box Score Sam Houston State soccer saved the best for last, notching its highest scoring Southland Conference match in their regular season finale, downing Incarnate Word, 3-1 on Sunday afternoon from Gayle & Tom Benson Stadium in San Antonio.
The win vaulted the Bearkats into the No. 3 seed in the upcoming league tournament, which begins Thursday at the Bill Stephens Soccer Center in Conway, Ark. Sam Houston will face No. 6-seed and host Central Arkansas at 7 p.m. with the winner taking on No. 2 Houston Baptist on Friday at 7 p.m.
Despite midseason struggles, Sam Houston (9-6-3 overall, 6-3-2 SLC) posted a strong finish, helped by a two-match win streak to close out play. The Kats finished with the same league record as Southeastern Louisiana but received the higher seed thanks to Friday's 1-0 win against Stephen F. Austin.
The Bearkats' Allie Johnson started the scoring in the 16th minute, placing a volley from Katie Bunch into the net for her team-leading sixth goal of the season. Sam Houston fired 21 shots, the most for the squad since taking 31 against Lamar on Oct. 4.
The Bearkats' dagger came just before halftime as Sam Houston notched two goals in less than three minutes, including Joanna Nigro's first of the season when the senior grabbed a loose ball following a corner in the 41st minute.
Two minutes later, Micaela Birt secured her first of the season after dribbling into the box and beating the keeper with a low shot. The result capped the Bearkats highest scoring half of the season.
After stopping a high-powered Ladyjacks offense on Friday, Sam Houston's defense turned in another fine performance, matching a season low by limiting the Cardinals (3-14-2 overall, 1-8-2 SLC) to just two shots on goal.
An 86th-minute header by UIW's Sabrina Martineau was the only blemish for Sam Houston. Goalkeeper Kylie Hambleton was unstoppable in the opening frame, giving way to Magen Ross in the second half. The Bearkats conclude their regular season second in the league, allowing 0.98 goals per match.
