Stephen F. Austin (2-3) handed the Red
Wolves soccer team (3-1) its first loss of the season, 3-1, Monday.
The game was rescheduled from its original start time on
Sunday due to a scheduling incident with the referees.
Arkansas State went down, 0-1, in the 33rd minute
(32:46) after a shot ricocheted off an ASU defender and redirected into the
goal, resulting in an own goal in favor of the Ladyjacks.
“Obviously we are disappointed in the loss but we knew that
we were going up against a good opponent in SFA, who had been to the NCAA
tournament,” said ASU head coach Derek Pittman. “This was a great test to see
where we are early in the season.”
Janae Lee scored SFA's second goal in the 56th
minute (55:05). Summer Bradfield sent a long high cross into the goal which
just slipped through the grasp of Red Wolves freshman Sara Krimm. Lee
capitalized on the miscue by tapping the ball into the goal.
Freshman forward Kara Nitti brought ASU within one goal in
the 69th minute (68:53). Junior defender Erin McKenna played the
ball into the air and Nitti sent a header into the top of the goal, beating SFA
goalkeeper Courtney Bauder. Nitti took two shots in the match, both of which
were on goal.
Amanda Lackey scored the Ladyjacks final goal in the 77th
minute (76:41) on a feed from Kim Kimmel.
“I think our kids battled hard but we found out that we need
to work even harder and be more disciplined especially when we are playing against
a higher quality opponent,” said Pittman.
In a very physical match, Stephen F. Austin committed 15
fouls to the Red Wolves' five. The Ladyjacks outshot ASU 21-9, with a good
portion of the shots coming from beyond the 18-yard mark.
Krimm made six saves in the match for the Red Wolves, receiving
the first loss of her career.
Freshman midfielder Kai Gear led the Red Wolves with three
shots, while SFA's Lackey led all players with five shots.
“We will lift our heads up, come back this week and look to
rebound for our games this week against Tulsa and Oral Roberts and look to get
some more wins.”
Arkansas State returns to action at the Tulsa Soccer Challenge
in Tulsa, Okla., facing Oral Roberts Friday at 7 p.m. and playing Tulsa at 1
p.m. Sunday.
