No. 2 Stephen F. Austin Wins Semifinal Shootout Over No. 6 Abilene Christian
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CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – In a game that read heavily in favor of Abilene Christian on paper, all stats went out the window as the Wildcats needed a penalty shootout for the second time in the 2017 Southland Conference Tournament to decide a winner. However, after prevailing over No. 3 McNeese in their first spot kick battle, ACU found itself on the losing end against No. 2 Stephen F. Austin, falling 4-2 in the shootout and missing out on Sunday’s championship game. The Ladyjacks advance to the title matchup against the winner of No. 1 Lamar and No. 4 Central Arkansas.
In a matchup of two of the league’s most offensive-minded teams, neither team bided time searching for the opener. Both top five teams in the regular season in all offensive categories from shots to goals to assists, the Ladyjacks and Wildcats aggressively pressed each other from the onset.
Freshman goalkeeper Erin Smith was forced into a highlight-reel save on SFA’s first scoring chance of the game nearly five minutes in, stonewalling a close-range header just inside the six-yard box from Breanna Moore.
On the other end, an ACU corner kick nearly found its way perfectly to the top right corner as the game approached 10 minutes played before being calmly parried away by SFA keeper Allyson Smith. With just over 20 minutes off the clock, a long-range shot from senior Megan Baer careened just wide of the top right corner as ACU stayed on the front foot.
With 25 minutes played in the first half, the Wildcats had already outshot SFA 8-1.
ACU’s Dylan Owens continued her stellar tournament play at the spearhead of the Wildcat attack, calmly weaving through the Ladyjack defense in the 27th minute. The junior got off an off-balance shot at the six-yard box that was saved by Smith and eventually cleared by SFA after a tense scramble in front of goal.
While Stephen F. Austin did not lack quality looks at goal when the chances came, the team struggled to maintain possession and was outpaced at both ends of the pitch.
Despite nearly constant chances, the two sides entered the intermission scoreless. The stat line read heavily in favor of Abilene Christian; the Wildcats held a heavy advantage on shots, 15-1, forcing six saves from Allyson Smith. Christina Arteaga and Owns led the way with three shots each.
The second half began in opposite fashion, with the Ladyjacks creating the best of the early scoring chances. After a blocked shot from senior Madison Hall, the frantic left-footed shot from senior Chloe Fowler on the rebound skimmed just over the Wildcats’ crossbar.
With 63:19 played, Hall again produced a solid chance for the ‘Jacks, sending a driven free kick in from 25 yards out but it was well-gathered by Smith. Stephen F. Austin began to consistently threaten, with another long-range boot from Hall just minutes later needing a low diving save from Smith to push the ball just out of goal.
Even as SFA’s offensive began to take shape, putting five shots on goal in the second half with eight minutes to play, the opening goal still evaded both teams.
Abilene Christian nearly found the back of the net late with another Owens run-and-shoot chance in the center of the 18-yard box being barely blocked by a defender with six minutes to go.
Despite combining for 28 shots (15 on goal), regulation time was not enough to decide a winner. Both goalkeepers made excellent saves to keep the opposition scoreless, with SFA’s Allyson Smith making nine and Erin Smith stopping six for ACU through 90 minutes. The Ladyjacks found more of their offensive footing in the second half but the Wildcats still held a healthy lead in shots, 20-8.
Arteaga let loose with a shot to the bottom right corner with just over two minutes to play in the first overtime, but her effort slid just wide of the right post. SFA returned with what looked like a clear one-one-one opportunity from Moore, but the junior forward was called offside.
The Ladyjacks capped the first extra period with a dangerous corner, but Erin Smith aggressively got her hands on the ball before SFA could get a foot to it.
Owens found space inside the box yet again, rocketing her shot off of keeper Allyson Smith. The subsequent corner found itself teetering on the goal line, nearly giving the Wildcats their golden goal before a return header off the clearance was tipped just over the crossbar with just a minute remaining.
This was the last opportunity either side would produce, and a penalty shootout would be needed to decide a winner for the second time this tournament.
The two sides exchanged successful first attempts before Megan Baer pushed her attempt wide right to put the Wildcats in an early 2-1 hole. SFA slotted home two more shootout goals along with ACU’s Arteaga before Chloe Fifer’s shot was blocked by Allyson Smith, giving Hanna Barker the golden opportunity. The two-time Midfielder of the Year confidently netted the winning shot to give her team a 4-2 shootout win, sending the ‘Jacks to their second consecutive tournament championship game.
SFA advances to take on the winner between No. 1 Lamar and No. 4 Central Arkansas. The title game kicks off at 1:05 p.m. on Sunday and will be an exclusive presentation of ESPN3, available via
watchespn.com and the ESPN app.