Bearkats win league opener, ready for weekend
9/21/2015 10:06:00 PM | Soccer
Welcome back! So last week was a bit more intense because we had our first conference game of the season. We played UCA at home, which was great because we had the advantage of being on home turf with our friends and family cheering us on. The game was a bit more physical than normal but it wasn't anything new to us. We matched their physicality and competed on every 50/50 ball and won most of them. We got the first of many wins this season last Friday, so it made for a great start to conference play.
The game against UCA was anything but handed to us. We started out strong against them but they were still able to connect passes and a few scoring opportunities. Unfortunately, early in the second half they were able to put one past us, making it 1-0. But thankfully this team is not a team who puts their head down after going down a goal. Shortly after they scored, we were smarter about our passes and how we attacked, which led to more scoring opportunities. Finally, one of our opportunities turned into a goal, which made the game 1-1.
The second half was finally up but because it ended in a tie, there are two 10 minute overtime periods and whichever team scores first, wins. Everyone's anxiousness was brought to a whole new level because every shot or every half chance could have been a goal. We were so motivated at the start of the first overtime period because we knew we weren't going to lose that game. We knew, as a team, that we would find a way to put the ball in the back of the net. Sure enough with about 2-3 minutes left in the first overtime period, Ashley Alonzo shot from a wide angle and was able to hit the ball off of the keepers glove and in to the back of the net. Games like those are always so intense because it is so hard to come back from being down a goal. But since this team constantly perseveres, the game is never over until the 90 minutes are up.
This week we will be preparing to bring home two more wins against HBU and A&MCC. We are moving on from last week's game onto these next two and focusing on what we need to do to win these games. Thankfully, these next two games are here in Huntsville so we will have the home advantage!
Allie Johnson, Sam Houston soccer
