HUNTSVILLE — Caitlyn McDonald capped a furious rally with a game-winning goal late in the second half to clinch the No. 3 seed in the Southwest Division for the Western Athletic Conference Tournament with a thrilling 2-1 victory over top-seeded Stephen F. Austin Saturday at Pritchett Field.
 
The Bearkats (8-9 overall, 6-4 WAC) entered the match needing either a win over the Ladyjacks or for Lamar to beat or tie Abilene Christian to secure a spot in the postseason. After the Cardinals knocked off the Wildcats 1-0 in double overtime, Sam Houston took care of SFA to lock down the Southwest's third seed in the tournament which will be held Nov. 3-7 in Abilene.
 
The Ladyjacks (10-7-1, 8-2) broke a scoreless tie when Caylon McMillian snuck a shot past goalkeeper Tatum Krueger, who finished with seven saves, in the 62^nd minute.
 
That's when the Bearkats turned up the heat. Landri Townsend scored the equalizer less than a minute later off an assist by Jade Dewbre.
 
Sam Houston stayed on the attack. Following a yellow card, Katarina Baehren sent the free kick soaring into the box where McDonald secured it and punched it past SFA keeper Madeline Talbot in the 68^th minute.
 
The victory of the Ladyjacks snapped a seven-game losing streak to SFA. The last time the Bearkats defeated the Ladyjacks was at Pritchett Field in 2015.