HOUSTON – It was the battle of two halves at Sorrels Field Friday night in a Southland Conference matchup. The Huskies dominated the scoring in the first half with two goals and Sam Houston State answered with two goals of their own in the second half forcing the game into overtime. Although both teams had chances in overtime neither could find the back of the net, after 110 minutes the game remained 2-2.
Sophomore forward
Gabby Rodriguez started off the scoring for the Huskies (3-5-1, 1-0-1 SLC) in the 32
nd minute by receiving a ball from junior midfielder
Ellee Hall. Rodriguez dribbled into the left side of the 18 yard box and tucked it in the right side netting. In the 41
st minute sophomore
Sabriah Spencer increased the lead to two by cleaning up a deflection from the keeper with her head from senior defender
Elizabeth Adams' cross from the left.
SHSU (0-9-1, 0-1-1 SLC) did not let the first half phase them as they were ready to play in the second half. Kaylee Davis took the ball from the Huskies in the 78
th minute outside of the 18 yard box and took the shot which found the back of the net. In the last five minutes of regulation the Huskies were called for a foul in the box resulting in a Bearkat penalty kick, which Allie Johnson took advantage of and buried it making the game go into overtime.
The woodwork showed valuable to the Huskies at the end of the first overtime period as a shot from the Bearkats hit the crossbar and resulted in a Husky goal kick. In the second overtime period one of the best chances the Huskies had came from the head of
Sabriah Spencer, but nearly missed the Bearkats' goal.
"We definitely let this game slip through our fingers. The late PK call certainly hurt. But as we told the girls, every game in conference is going to be a battle. We battled tonight. We played a great first half but didn't quite finish out the game. We had some unbelievable chances that we just didn't tuck away. The great thing about our team is that we fight hard and never give up. Conference is just getting started and I anticipate many more battles in the next few weeks," head coach
Misty Jones reported after the match.
The Huskies offense was led Hall and senior midfielder
Allison Abendschein each recording three shots on goal, with a team total of 15. Junior goalkeeper
Katie Turner earned the tie by recording seven saves with two goals against.
The Bearkats had Davis and Johnson both recording three shots on goal with a team total of nine. Anna Kaiser did the defensive work recording 13 saves with two goals against.
Sam Houston State led the game, 9-8, in corner kicks and one yellow was issued to Huskies sophomore forward
Autumn Wildung in the 56
th minute.
Conference play continues as the Huskies finish the weekend at home against Stephen F. Austin on Sunday at 1 p.m. and will travel to Hammond, Louisiana, to take on Southeastern Louisiana Friday at 7 p.m.
