Box Score Nacogdoches, Texas – Three goals inside the first ten minutes of the second half proved too much for the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi women's soccer team, as Stephen F. Austin defeated the Islanders 3-0 on Friday night.
"We have to come out and be relaxed, while maintaining our focus," head coach Shanna Caldwell said. "We looked tight in the first half and put ourselves under a lot of pressure.
"In the second half, we had some uncharacteristic plays in the back and it cost us," added Caldwell. "The positive is how we responded and fought back into the game. We were not able to capitalize on the scoreboard, but there was a lot of good soccer out there. I know we will be hungry to step back on the field on Sunday and put an entire game together."
The Islanders backline halted several attacks from the Ladyjacks in the first 30 minutes of the match. Goalkeeper Megan Delaney was forced to make a save within the first minute of the match. Hannah Joseph recorded the only shot on goal for the Islanders in the half in the 32nd minute. The teams would enter the halftime break in a scoreless tie.
47 seconds into the second half Madison Hall found the back of the net for the Ladyjacks, finishing an Amanda Doyle Cross. Doyle recorded two goals on loose balls in the box in the 48th and 55th minutes.
In the final 35 minutes of the match, the Islanders controlled the midfield play, taking six shots, while blocking the only Ladyjacks shot. Yvette Franco served several balls into the box, but A&M-Corpus Christi was not able to capitalize on the opportunities.
The reigning Southland Goalkeeper of the Week Delaney finished the match with five saves. Zoe Cole led the Islanders offensively with three shots, two on goal, in her 47 minutes of action. Jessica Berdan tallied a shot on goal in the second half from her new midfield positition. Jacey Love played 40 minutes in the match, as she continues to work herself back from injury.
A&M-Corpus Christi will continue their roadtrip with a visit to Sam Houston State on Sunday for a 1 p.m. kickoff. The Bearkats have a record of 4-4-1 (1-1) after tonight's loss to Houston Baptist 1-0.
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