It hasn’t quite been the season that the Bearkat soccer team envisioned when the season began. With the 2006 season ending with the team finishing 3-15 and 1-7 in conference, a turnaround was hoped for by SHSU head coach Marcia Oliveira and her squad. However, through eight games, the team is 2-6, and last Friday the Bearkats were shutout in their first conference game by rival Stephen F. Austin, 2-1 in Nacogdoches.
Yet Oliveira said she understands there is plenty of time left in the season, and she is in no way ready to give up on the 2007 season. Oliveira said their mindset is to go out, compete in every game and try to win them all.
Having lost their previous two games, the Bearkats hope to break the losing streak this weekend with conference games against Texas State in San Marcos, and at the University of Texas – San Antonio.
The Bearkats begin their weekend road trip Friday at 7 p.m. when they play Texas State (2-8-1, 1-0-1 SLC). Like the Bearkats, the Bobcats also haven’t played up to their abilities so far. Led by freshman forward Britney Curry, who already has three goals, two of which were game winners, the Bobcats are hoping to avenge last year’s 1-0 lost to the Bearkats, the ‘Kats only win in conference in 2006.
Having defeated Nicholls State on Sunday, 4-0, and not having given up a goal in matches against Southeastern Louisiana and the University of Houston, the Bearkats have a challenging task ahead of them to score against the Bobcats goalkeeper Amanda Byrd. Byrd, who on the season has a 2-2-1 record, two shutouts, and a 1.50 GAA, has been tough to score on, having gone the last 245 minutes without giving up a goal.
The Bearkats’ leading scorer is freshman midfielder Luana Miessa with two goals and an assist for five points. Junior forwards Raquel Bueno and Alison Oakland, each with two goals for four points, will need to step up in order to beat Byrd and the Bobcats.
On Sunday, the Bearkats head to San Antonio for a 1 p.m. match up with the UTSA Roadrunners (3-7-1, 0-1 SLC). The Bearkats will face an offensive barrage from the Roadrunners, who are currently fourth in the Southland Conference with 20 goals. Freshman forward Alli Dillon and sophomore forward Veronica Najera lead the team with 11 points, including five goals.
Last season, the Bearkats lost to the Roadrunners in Huntsville 2-1.
The Bearkats return home Friday, October 19, to play Northwestern State at 7 p.m.