Sept. 5, 2008
Final Stats
RUSTON, La. - Louisiana Tech played what might have been its best soccer game in the short history of the program on Friday night, shutting out defending Southland Conference champion Stephen F. Austin 2-0 at Joe Aillet Stadium.
"This was absolutely a great team performance by everyone," second-year head coach Kevin Sherry said. "A lot of times you can pick out some individual performances and say that those were the key to the victory, but everyone on our side was nearly perfect. I am so incredibly proud of our team."
Tech (2-1) got a considerable measure of revenge on the Ladyjacks (1-3), who rolled to a 7-2 victory in last year's meeting in Nacogdoches. The Lady Techster defense made certain that a repeat performance was not in the cards, holding its opponent scoreless for the second straight game.
Freshman keeper Cat Buchanan, in her second career start, got her second shutout in as many tries, making four saves on the night.
"Again, our defensive play was fantastic," Sherry said. "The whole team has come together and decided that last year was unacceptable. We are determined to make history this season."
The Techsters continued the trend of getting scoring from underclassmen as two freshmen notched their first career goals in the win. Tech got its first score in the 17th minute when Katlyn Bachan ripped a shot from about 20 yards that clanged off the crossbar, but rebounded straight to freshman Rachel King who poked in a wide-open net to give Tech a 1-0 lead.
The home team got a break on its second goal when the SFA keeper misplayed a ball that went straight to freshman Scotti Culton. Her shot was blocked, but the rebound went straight to Kristen Sevier, who went far post to put Tech ahead 2-0 at 27:38.
SFA, which only managed three shots in the first half, would pick up its aggressiveness in the second period and force the Tech defense to tighten up. But Tech answered the call, keeping the Ladyjacks off the scoreboard and getting several great scoring chances of their own.
"The difference so far this year is that we've been finishing our chances," Sherry said. "Last year we had several scoring chances in most games but were never able to capitalize. This year we are much more under control and we make the most of our scoring opportunities."
An estimated crowd of nearly 300 watched Friday's contest, one of the largest in recent memory for a Techster home game.
"Tonight's crowd was a reflection of our efforts during the offseason through community service," Sherry said. "The community appreciates what our team does on and off the field, and several people have come up to me and told me how proud they are of what we are doing. We are way ahead of schedule for this transformation, but I am very grateful for the support of the local soccer community."
The Techsters will enjoy this victory briefly but must prepare for a stretch of four road games in eight days, beginning with a trip north to Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Tuesday.
"We're very proud of this win," Sherry said, "but we're not going to sit back and relax, no matter who we play. Every game is a cup final for us."
