It must have felt like dj vu for the Sam Houston State soccer team this weekend. The Bearkats lost consecutive games against Texas State and the University of Texas-San Antonio, 3-0.
The Bearkats (2-8, 0-3 SLC) traveled to San Marcos Friday, and faced Amanda Byrd, the Bobcats’ goalkeeper who hadn’t allowed a goal in her previous 245 minutes played. Byrd shut out the Bearkats in the first half, recording one save.
Texas State (3-8-2, 2-0-1 SLC) scored early, having all their goals accounted for in the first 24 minutes of the first half. In all, the Bobcats scored in the fourth on a header by Audra Randell, in the fifteenth minute by Anna Fagan and in the twenty-second minute by Britney Curry.
“The team played well against Texas State for over 70 minutes of the game, imposing style and creating situations,” Sam Houston State head coach Marcia Oliveira said. “Our problem was that the first 15-20 minutes of the game we started flat and allowed goals we normally would not.”
In the second game of the weekend, the Bearkats faced an offensive barrage from the Roadrunners (4-7-2, 2-1-1 SLC), who outshot the Bearkats 27-10. Texas-San Antonio forward Alli Dillon had two goals and an assist to help give the Bearkats their fourth consecutive loss.
“The team did not show the same intensity played against Texas State when we played UTSA,” Oliveira said. “We struggled to do things we normally do and the mind set was below the intensity level we have seen so far this year.”
Prior to the match against UTSA, Yoanna Garcia had to miss the game due to a loss in her family.
“We hope that she and her family are in peace and have comfort about the loss,” Oliveira said.
On Friday, the Bearkats hope to get their first conference win at home against Northwestern State.
“We now have the first two home games of the conference and it is nice to be able to play in our territory instead of playing the first three conference games on the road,” Oliveira said. “Our mindset is to get back to the level of play and intensity we have shown in many occasions this season and be able to create positive results for us with calm and determination.”