Box Score
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HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Sam Houston State soccer rallied from a two-goal deficit to defeat Lamar, 3-2, in overtime on Sunday afternoon at Pritchett Field. Allie Johnson recorded the game-tying goal in the 81st minute and added the golden goal just 40 seconds into overtime. For the second time in as many weekends, the Bearkats stormed back for a positive result after a two-goal deficit with the first coming in a 2-2 tie at Houston Baptist last Friday.
Sam Houston (2-10-1, 2-2-1 Southland) concludes its three-game home stand on Friday against Northwestern State. First touch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. from Pritchett. Admission is free to all attendees. Lamar (1-11-1, 0-4-1 SLC) returns home to face Southeastern Louisiana on Friday at 7 p.m.
First Half
Sam Houston was forced to play consistently on the defensive as Lamar recorded eight shots and had 10 corner kicks. The Cardinals took advantage in the 11th minute as Samantha Moreno, who took all 10 corners, sent a liner into the six-yard box to M.J. Eckart, who headed the ball past Sam Houston goalkeeper Anna Kaiser. In the 29th minute, the Cards' Jordan Mulnix padded the lead, dribbling the ball down the left flank into the box before sending a shot into the bottom left corner of the net. Sam Houston managed two shots in the frame including one shot on goal by Beryl Smith.
Second Half
The Bearkats reversed their first half fortunes, logging eight shots, while holding the Cardinals to just one. In the 62nd minute, Bailey Strong lined up to take a corner kick and wound up scoring. Strong placed a curving ball inside the upper right corner of the net. Then, Johnson began to leave her mark, finishing a bouncing ball inside the box off the corner from four yards out to tie the game at 2-2 in the 81st minute. Whitney Woodward was credited with the assist. Kaylee Davis finished regulation with four shots including two on goal.
Overtime
Playing in its second overtime match of the season, Sam Houston ensured it would not be a lengthy one. Just 40 seconds in, Johnson buried the ball into the bottom right corner of the net inside the 18-yard box for the golden goal. The brace was Johnson's second in her career while her multi-goal performance upped her career total to 23, a mark that ranks third in team lore.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Sam Houston forward Allie Johnson pulled the match even in the 81st minute before providing the overtime game-winner just 40 seconds into the frame. The senior took just three shots but made the most of her opportunities in the victory.
KEY STATS
Lamar's three shots on goal marked a season low for an opponent against the Bearkats. For the second straight outing, Sam Houston allowed its opponent just nine total shots, both season bests. Most impressively, this comes despite allowing a season-high 14 Lamar corner kicks including 10 in the first half.
QUOTABLES
Head coach Tom Brown on the result…
“I thought the team showed a lot of character to come back in the second half. We put them under a lot of pressure and did a better job of executing our game plan. Once we got that first goal, I thought the momentum changed and I thought the team's belief changed in themselves.”
Head coach Tom Brown on the quick overtime goal…
“We just wanted to use our flanks as much as we could. We encouraged Cannon to run at them. She was able to get a great ball into A.J. She's always been a streaky finisher for us. Last year in September she struggled to finish but came on when we really needed it late. She scored some big goals for us today.”
Senior forward Allie Johnson on the golden goal…
“In our group huddle we said we didn't want to be out there more than two minutes. We were tired and we've been working so hard throughout the game. No one wants to play 20 extra minutes of overtime. It was important for us to get an early one. I've worked on that shot in practice.”
Senior forward Allie Johnson on the comeback…
“It was incredible. We've been down 2-0 once this year and once last year. We came back to tie HBU and we won last year so we know we aren't out of it. We knew there was more than enough time to get another goal. We worked on that corner in practice. It was good to see all of that coming together.”
