HUNTSVILLE — Sam Houston struck first, but Stephen F. Austin managed an equalizer in the second half as the former conference rivals tied 1-1 in the season opener at Pritchett Field on Thursday evening.
The Bearkats rallied to pick up a win in their only exhibition match last week at Texas Southern. Thursday, Sam Houston didn't wait long to get on the board.
In the 31st minute,
Tiana Johnson took a forward pass and raced down the field, easiy getting past a Lumberjack defender. She ripped the ball into the upper portion of the net over the reach of the goalkeeper to put the Bearkats up 1-0.
Both teams could not muster much of an offensive attack the rest of the opening half and the beginning of the second when SFA was finally able to tie it a 1. The Lumberjacks scored on a header, the only mishap Sam Houston goalkeeper
Cassia Souza allowed.
Souza finished with two saves while facing only 10 shots thanks to the defensive effort by the Kats.
Sam Houston returns to action Sunday when the Bearkats travel to Houston to face the Cougars at 7 p.m.
