Sam Houston State’s women’s soccer team extended their road-win-streak with a 1-0 overtime victory Sunday against McNeese State.
Midfielder Mariah Titus clinched the win for the Bearkats three minutes into the second overtime period. Titus found the back of the net with a shot from the right side that edged beyond McNeese’s goalkeeper.
Head coach Tom Brown said clock management late in the game contributed to their overtime victory.
“In the later stages of the game we were able to control more of the game and create the goal,” Brown said. “[It] was a very big win for us.”
Besides the physical endurance it takes to play 103 minutes, bad weather and card accumulation added to the difficulty of the game for the Bearkats, goalkeeper Kylie Hambleton said.
“McNeese is a physical, hard-working team so we had to be switched on the entire time and ready to go,” Hambleton said. “We were able to stay focused and fight hard throughout the game.”
Although SHSU allowed 13 shots, only one troubled Hambleton. She said the Bearkats’ defense played a huge part in keeping her from having to make multiple saves. The defense kept McNeese’s offense at bay, limiting their shots on goal throughout the match.
“[The defense] played strong and didn’t let too much through,” Hambleton said. “They contained their forwards really well and made a huge, positive impact on the game.”
The strong Bearkat defense gave the team its fourth shutout of the season, and moved the team to 2-1 in Southland Conference play. They are tied with Stephen F. Austin in the conference standings.
SHSU will start their weekend competing against Northwestern State Friday at 7 p.m. in Natchitoches, La.
The Bearkats will return to Pritchett Field for the Battle of the Piney Woods against Southland Conference rival SFA Sunday at 1 p.m.