CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas –The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi soccer team tried stringing together a lengthy comeback after falling behind 3-0 with a hopeful spark from senior
Morgan Westbury's late penalty kick goal, but the rally came up short Friday night against Northwestern State at the Dr. Jack Dugan Family Soccer and Track Stadium.
The Islanders (5-4-5, 2-2-2 SLC) allowed Northwestern State (8-6-2, 4-2-1 SLC) to get past them twice in the first half before an insurance goal in the 53
rd minute capped the Lady Demons' night of scoring with a 3-0 lead. It wasn't until freshman
Cilia Leal drew the foul in the box in the 59
th minute that the Islanders looked at a response.
Westbury was chosen to take the penalty kick, and she swiftly took care of business with the hard drive to the top left corner to cut Northwestern State's lead to 3-1. The Islanders would continue to threaten, outshooting the Lady Demons 9-5 in the second half but the early deficit caught up to them as time winded down for the final score.
It is A&M-Corpus Christi's first penalty kick goal in a game since Oct. 7, 2022 against McNeese, which was taken by none other than Westbury on the Islanders' home field.
The goal tonight marks Westbury's 13
th career goal, fourth of the season, first in conference play this year, and sixth-ever against a league opponent. She continues to lead the team in goals and points (11) on the season.
The Islanders will close out the home weekend on Sunday at 1 p.m. against UIW. With just four games remaining in the regular season, A&M-Corpus Christi will look to get back in the win column with the Southland Conference Tournament looming on Nov. 5 on their home field as they host for the second year in a row.
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