Box Score
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HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Sam Houston State soccer created chances in the second half but could not capitalize as McNeese downed the Bearkats 1-0 on Friday night at Pritchett Field.The Cowgirls' Gabi D'Alesandro found the back of the net on a free kick late in the first half for the difference.
Sam Houston (1-10-1, 1-2-1 Southland) continues its three-game home stand on Sunday against Lamar. First touch is scheduled for 1 p.m. from Pritchett. Admission is free to all attendees. McNeese (5-6-0, 1-3-0 SLC) heads to Nacogdoches to face Stephen F. Austin at 1 p.m.
First Half
The two squads battled back and forth in the opening 45 in a defensive standoff as Sam Houston and McNeese managed 10 shots and entered the final minute of the period scoreless. Then, the Cowgirls' Bettina Brulhart was fouled just outside the box, setting up D'Alesandro's free kick. The junior sent a sharp liner around the Kats' wall for the eventual game winner. Sam Houston staved off three corner kick opportunities prior to that.
Second Half
Sam Houston had its share of chances in the second half, using aggressive play to outshoot the Cowgirls 7-4 in the frame along with three corner kicks. On the Kats second corner, Allie Johnson registered a pair of headers only to be saved by McNeese keeper Annie Bravenec who logged six saves on the night. In the 69th minute, Lindsey Bienski rifled a shot in that was saved before Kaylee Davis's shot sailed wide.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Sam Houston freshman goalkeeper Anna Kaiser registered five saves, holding McNeese off the board in the second half, while allowing just the free-kick goal in the 44th minute.
KEY STATS
Sam Houston outshot McNeese 11-9 but could not find the back of the net. For the second straight match, the Bearkats held their opponent to six shots on goal, tied for the second fewest this year.
QUOTABLES
Head coach Tom Brown on the result…
“I was disappointed. I thought we had a good week of training. I thought we were much better in the second half of keeping the ball but we didn't have them pumped up enough to deal with the pressure McNeese put on us with the long balls they were playing. We did a better job in the second half but giving that goal late in the first half is a tough time to give that away.”
Head coach Tom Brown on halftime adjustments…
“We didn't feel like we were really challenging for balls at the front of play. In the run of play, we weren't really challenging for balls in the air. We talked to them about closing the space between the midfield and the backs. I thought our defenders were dropped off too much. The last thing was really keeping the ball. In the first half we'd win the ball and repeatedly give it away.”
Head coach Tom Brown on adjustments leading into Sunday…
“Once we get out here tomorrow, there is nothing we can do about tonight. We wasted an opportunity to get three points. We don't want to compound the problem by having a poor performance against Lamar. Some players that didn't play tonight will get in so we have some fresh legs. Hopefully we'll be able to play our style and understand because we're at home, it's not a given. We've got to go out and take games.”
