Strong spring sets stage for fall success
5/26/2015 3:52:00 PM | Soccer
With 16 letter winners back off the most successful team in program history, the Sam Houston women's soccer team will be a squad to be reckoned with during the 2015 Southland Conference race.
The team put together an impressive record during their spring season this past semester.
In February, Sam Houston defeated Texas-San Antonio 5-1. In March, the Bearkats blanked Navarro Junior College 4-0 and split matches in Texas A&M's 7 vs. 7 tournament. The Sam women defeated Lamar and lost an exciting contest with the Aggies.
In another 7 vs 7 matchup with Texas A&M in April, Sam Houston gave the Aggies another tough match in a 5-3 loss. The spring schedule ended with a 0-0 tie with Houston that was stopped because of weather early in the second half.
“We had some very good results this spring,” Sam Houston head coach Tom Brown said. “In the past, we have had trouble scoring goals. Our attacking play was very good this spring and I hope that carries over into the upcoming season.”
Last fall, Sam Houston rolled up an overall record of nine victories, seven losses and three draws against a challenging schedule. The Bearkats posted the program's all-time best Southland finish with a 8-2-1 league mark to end as conference runner-up.
Top scorers junior Allie Johnson (8 goals in 2014), senior Ashley Alonzo (7 goals) and senior Shelby McDaniel (5 goals) all return. The team played well during the spring schedule despite several top players sidelined by injuries.
“We were missing a few players, like Mariah Titus and Megan Bennett, at times this spring, but that allowed some other players to get some quality minutes,” Brown said. “Katie Bunch and Maya Van Londen were two players who stood out.
Sam Houston closed out the 2014 regular season with five victories and a tie last season. Two transfers, Taylor Erwin, a goalkeeper from the University of Arkansas, and Alexis Riggs, a defender from Arkansas State, will add more talent to the Bearkats.
“I was glad to get our two transfers in for the spring and get them integrated into how we want to play,” Brown said. “Lexi and Taylor did very well and will really improve us next year.”
Seniors returning for Sam Houston include Alonzo, Bunch, McDaniel, Titus, Katie Ferrara, Kylie Hambleton and Colby Glover.
“Our rising seniors are ready to lead this team next year,” Brown said. “Our two team captains, Shelby and Kylie, are excited about that prospect of building on last year's historic season.”
