After being sidelined for nearly a month, Sam Houston State soccer's Ashley Alonzo returned to the lineup in style, making the most of her 25 minutes on the field.
The senior placed a game-winning goal inside the near post with three minutes remaining in the first overtime to lift the Bearkats (4-3-1 overall, 1-0 SLC) to a 2-1 win against Central Arkansas (3-6, 0-1 SLC) in the squad's Southland Conference opener Friday night at Pritchett Field.
“I noticed on film they were very scattered on corners so every time they had a corner, I tried to find the open space and luckily I took a half-chance and it went in,” Alonzo said. “We've learned to never give up. It was a hard fought battle all game.”
Each squad saw limited success offensively in the opening 45, but that changed eight minutes into the second half when Central Arkansas' Camille Bassett broke away down the middle and put one passed diving senior goalkeeper Kylie Hambleton.
“I think it was a hard fought battle,” Hambleton said. “It was unfortunate to take them to overtime but we're fortunate to get the win. Three points is three points. Overall, there are things we can work on but there are a lot of positives to take from it.”
In the 70th minute, Sam Houston junior Maddy Panazzo crossed a ball to junior Allie Johnson, who slid and knocked it into the back of the net for the equalizer and her second of the year. The assist was Panozzo's second.
“We were excited and nervous coming in because it was our first conference game,” Johnson said. “It was definitely pretty physical but I'd like to think we're a physical team. In practice, we all go hard because we know everyone in the conference is like that.”
The match saw 29 fouls between the two squads. Elsewhere, Central Arkansas posted four corner kicks to the Bearkats two. While Sam Houston, who was picked second in the preseason by the league's head coaches, secured the win, the team will be looking for more in future outings.
“I think tomorrow they have to analyze their individual and team performance and realize it wasn't up to the standards we want,” eighth-year head coach Tom Brown said. “Fortunately, sometimes when you don't play as well, you do get a win and it happened for us.”
Sam Houston will have Sunday off and return to play on Friday from Pritchett Field against Houston Baptist. First touch is slated for 6:30 p.m. between the Kats and Huskies.
