A&M-Corpus Christi Outplays SFA in Second Half to Earn 2-1 Win

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Deadlocked through one half of play, the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi soccer program controlled the second half and scored the game-winner in the 59th minute to defeat Stephen F. Austin 2-1 on Friday at Dugan Stadium.
 
A&M-Corpus Christi (4-5-2, 3-3-1 SLC) got on the board early in the fourth minute. After a through-ball by senior Abby Deakin, freshman Maggie Murray sped through the box from the right side and fired a crisp shot into the lower left corner. It was Murray's fourth goal of the year.
 
SFA (6-5-2, 4-3 SLC) evened it in the 33rd minute after a run by Teia Haynes got through the back line.
 
The game-winner came from freshman Olivia Alvarez. A cross by sophomore Emma Gibbs from the far left found the feet of Alvarez who turned and launched a left-footed rocket from the edge of the penalty box into the top right corner. It was her third score of the season.
 
"I have the best team and assistant coaches in the conference. It's all them," said head coach Craig Shaw. "I love them."
 
The Islanders out-shot the Ladyjacks 18-15 and held 9-5 edge in corner kicks, including a big 8-2 disparity in the second half.

A&M-Corpus Christi nearly added an insurance tally late in the 67th minute after senior Larissa Fagundes chipped in a shot, but the offsides flag was up and the whistle was blown to wave it off.
 
Senior Celia Hilsabeck recorded a game-high six shots with three on goal. Murray, Alvarez and junior Reaghan Lang all took a pair of shots.
 
Making her eighth consecutive start in net was senior Kyleigh Hall. She made 10 saves in the game, including a pair of clutch ones in the second half where she SFA attackers had clean looks inside the box.
 
Junior Siri O'Donnell and freshman Emma Herrera each played the entire 90 minutes on defense.
 
It was A&M-Corpus Christi's second straight win over the Ladyjacks after beating them 3-0 on the road in 2019. The Islanders are also on a three-game unbeaten streak over SFA. after a 0-0 tie in 2018.
 
The Islanders will look to make it an undefeated weekend Sunday when they host Sam Houston at 1 p.m. at Dugan Stadium.
 
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