Leah Snelson scored one goal and assisted on another to lead Sam Houston to a 2-0 Southland Conference women’s soccer victory over Nicholls Sunday afternoon on a muddy Intramural Field No. 3.
Only three minutes into the contest, Emily Jurecka passed the ball down the left sideline to Snelson who centered a pass to Kirby Zak at the far post. Zak right footed Sam Houston’s first shot of the match into the net for a 1-0 lead.
The goal was Zak’s fifth of the season.
Both teams battled the muddy, rainy conditions as much as they did each other in a match that went scoreless for the next 54 minutes.
Finally Snelson punched in a goal at the 57:49 minute on a pass from Zak for an insurance goal for the Bearkats. The score was Snelson’s four goal of the 2009 season and the seventh assist this year for Zak.
Sam Houston goalkeeper Jenny Pence, who missed the final 40 minutes of Saturday’s 3-2 overtime loss to Southeastern Louisiana with an injury ankle, was back in goal for the Bearkats today. Pence was credited with three saves as she picked up her fifth shutout of the season.
The Bearkats took 16 shots while limiting Nicholls to eight. Kandice Champagne led the Colonel offense with five shots.
Sam Houston upped its record to 5-6-2. The Bearkats stand 3-1 in Southland Conference play.
Nicholls fell to 4-10 for the year. The Colonels are 0-3 in Southland action.
Sam Houston State’s next soccer match is Friday, Oct. 16, when the Bearkats will travel to Nacogdoches to meet Stephen F. Austin.