Drawing In: Islanders Clinch Tourney Spot

HOUSTON – After 110 minutes, finishing just as they started was good enough for the Islanders as Texas A&M-Corpus Christi clinched the final spot in the 2017 Southland Conference Soccer Tournament with a scoreless draw at Houston Baptist.
 
Kyleigh Hall made eight saves to keep the clean sheet, including a dazzling stop on a 1-on-1 breakaway in the 90th minute to keep the Islanders' (6-8-3, 3-6-2) hopes alive. Hall's eight stops gave the freshman her first career clean sheet, one that could not have come at a better time.
 
In a back-and-forth affair that saw a combined 39 shots and 16 attempts on goal, the Islanders and Huskies each had their share of chances. Brooke Erdmann led the Blue and Green with six shots, putting four on net, but none were able to best HBU's keepers.
 
Abby Deakin added two more shots on goal while Kayla Gove and Mariah Ramon each notched one attempt on net. It was Ramon who may have had the Islanders' best chance of the night, as her rip from the edge of the 18-yard box skipped off the hands of HBU's Katie Turner in the 80th minute. Turner was able to collect the ball, however, before anyone could put it away.
 
In the opening half, Hall was called on just once as the Islanders held the upper hand in chances. Corpus Christi outshot HBU 4-1 in the first 45 before the second half saw an even run of play as HBU held a 4-3 edge.
 
As the clock ticked on, Hall made save after save as the Huskies grew increasingly dangerous down the stretch. A flurry of action in the 83rd included a blocked shot before Hall snuffed out a header from Ellee Hall.
 
Undoubtedly, the biggest save of the night came with just 27 seconds to play as Hall raced off her line with Autumn Wildung closed in all alone. Hall stood tall and got both legs to the ball to save the Blue and Green in the waning seconds.
 
Hall would make three additional saves in extra time to see out the clean sheet.
 
READY TO DANCE
 
In a day wrought with drama, the Islanders played their way into the tournament thanks in part to Southeastern Louisiana's last-minute victory at Nicholls. As the bus arrived at HBU Friday evening, Islander players and staff watched as SLU scored with just 31 seconds remaining in the second overtime.
 
That meant the Islanders needed only a draw to clinch a spot in the Southland Conference Tournament. With the result, Corpus Christi returns to the tourney after a year absence.
 
The Islanders will host the 2017 Southland Conference Tournament at the Dugan Family Soccer Stadium beginning Wednesday. Corpus Christi will face Lamar in the opening round at 8 p.m. Wednesday night.
 
TOURNEY TICKETS
 
After the Islanders punched their ticket to the tournament on Friday night, you can get your tickets by calling 825-BALL or visiting GoIslanders.com/SLCSoccer.