Sam Houston State snapped its scoreless-game streak, at the time cutting the Central Arkansas lead in half, but it would not be enough as the Bearkats fell 4-1 in the Southland Conference opener from Conway, Ark., on Friday night.
Sophomore Bailey Strong recorded her first career goal in a Sam Houston uniform, doing so in the 40th minute to trim the UCA advantage to 2-1. The shot, a free kick from 35 yards out, snuck in under the cross bar, marking the Kats first goal in six matches.
Ultimately, the Bearkats (0-9-0, 0-1-0 SLC) had marginal success in slowing down UCA's potent offense, which managed 23 shots including 12 on goal. The Bears (6-3-0, 1-0-0 SLC) scored in the ninth minute and again in the 18th before the Kats responded.
With a one-goal deficit at half, Sam Houston could not come any closer. Pritchard, Lindsey Bienski and Katy Johnson each had two shots, with Prichard's both coming as shots on goal. Bailey Swain played the duration in the net for the Kats.
Sam Houston returns to action next Friday at Houston Baptist. The match, scheduled for 7 p.m., will be the final in the Kats historic 10-game road trip. When Sam Houston returns home the following Friday, they will play three straight at the friendly confines of Pritchett Field.
