Sam Houston opens home slate this weekend
8/24/2017 10:00:00 AM | Soccer
Matches 3-4
Friday, Aug. 25 • 6:30 pm • Huntsville, Texas • Pritchett Field
Jackson State (0-2) vs. Sam Houston State (1-1)
Live Stats
Sunday, Aug. 27 • 10:00 am • Huntsville, Texas • Pritchett Field
Oral Roberts (1-1) vs. Sam Houston State (1-1)
Live Stats
HUNTSVILLE – Sam Houston State soccer makes its highly anticipated home debut this weekend, hosting Jackson State and Oral Roberts in a pair of matches from Pritchett Field.
Free Food Friday kicks things off with 3 Spoons Yogurt and H-E-B serving as partners for the game, providing food while supplies last.
The Bearkats (1-1) split action a weekend ago, defeating CSU Bakersfield in the season opener, 4-3, before falling to UTRGV, 2-1, in the finale. Beryl Smith, Carly English and Carlota Suarez Crespo were named to the All-Tournament Team.
Smith contributed a pair of goals to lead the charge offensively. Sam Houston's three first-half goals against the Roadrunners marked the highest scoring opening 45 minutes since Nov. 1, 2015 against UIW. The four total goals were the most since Sept. 13, 2015 at Prairie View A&M.
Friday's 6:30 p.m. home opener comes against a Jackson State team searching for its first win of the season. Under the direction of second-year head coach Stephen Peck, the Tigers are looking to reverse course following a 4-12-1 result a year ago.
Meanwhile, after splitting on opening weekend, Oral Roberts will host Kansas State on Thursday before making the trek down to Huntsville. The Golden Eagles return seven starters and 18 letterwinners from a team that finished tied for second in the Summit League a season ago.
The Kats are seeking their first win against Oral Roberts. Sam Houston is 0-5 against the former Southland Conference opponent with ORU capturing the last matchup, 2-1, in overtime as the Eagles were awarded a penalty in the 75th minute and capitalized.
Friday will mark the first time Sam Houston and Jackson State have met. It will be the Bearkats first matchup against a SWAC opponent since downing Prairie View A&M, 4-0, on Sept. 13, 2015. Sam Houston has won its last 16 matches against SWAC opponents dating to the 2007 season.
QUOTEABLES:
Head coach Tom Brown on the opening weekend results…
“I was pleased with our ability to score goals this past weekend. It took nearly until the end of September last year to score five goals. Also, we are getting those goals from different players and from different positions. We are still looking to improve all aspects of our game. We work hard every day at training to improve a specific part of our game. The intensity which our team goes through training at is much better than last season.”
Head coach Tom Brown on playing in front of the home fans…
“The crowds have improved each year and we appreciate the support we are getting. I think our fans will be really impressed by the talent and work rate of this year's team.”
Head coach Tom Brown on facing Jackson State and Oral Roberts…
“Both of these teams have historically been very good within their conference. However, just like us, both teams are figuring out who they are now and will change over the next few weeks. This is the first time I will have seen Jackson State. They have a couple of midfielders who are good on the ball and look like a hard working team. We are more familiar with Oral Roberts since they used to play in the Southland Conference. They have always been very talented and play an attractive style of soccer.”
