Kats head west for non-conference tests
9/8/2016 4:14:00 PM | Soccer
HUNTSVILLE – The Sam Houston State soccer team ventures outside of the state of Texas for three straight matches beginning Friday with a matchup at Idaho State, the fifth consecutive game for the Bearkats away from Pritchett Field.
The Bearkats (0-6) will take on Utah State on Sunday at 2 p.m. in the final non-conference action before Southland Conference play begins the following weekend at Central Arkansas on Friday and at Houston Baptist on Sunday.
Sam Houston is seeking its first win in what has been an arduous out-of-conference slate featuring the likes of Texas, Rice and Alabama among others. Last weekend, the Kats fell 7-0 at the Longhorns on Friday and 5-0 to the Owls on Sunday.
The Bearkats will look to ignite the offense this weekend after managing three goals thus far this season including one a piece from Allie Johnson, Kaylee Davis and Micaela Birt. Midfielder Beryl Smith has logged two assists as an added spark in her first year with the team.
Meanwhile, Idaho State (2-4) enters Friday in the midst of a five-match homestand. The squad is coming off a pair of losses, dropping a 1-0 overtime result at Hawaii and 4-3 game to New Mexico. The squad, which competes in the Big Sky Conference, is first in the league for shots (108) and goals (9).
Sunday's foe, Utah State, heads into its weekend with a 2-3 record against wins against South Dakota State and Cal State Fullerton. Utah State soccer was picked seventh in the Mountain West Preseason Poll, as voted on by the league's 12 head coaches. The Aggies earned 71 points in this season's poll. Last year, Utah State finished the season tied for seventh, ending the year with a 5-5-1 conference record.
The Bearkats return home Sept. 30 to face McNeese, kicking off three straight matches at Pritchett Field. For the latest on the Sam Houston soccer program, follow @BearkatsSOC on Twitter and visit GoBearkats.com.
