SFA Blanks Houston 2-0 In Season Opener
August 17, 2012
<p><strong>NACOGDOCHES, Texas</strong> - After 64 minutes of a defensive juggernaut, senior forward<a href="http://sfajacks.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/mtt/sadler_laura00.html">Laura Sadler</a> scored the first goal of the 2012 Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks season to help propel SFA to a 2-0 victory over the University of Houston in the season opener Friday night at the SFA Soccer Field.</p>
<p>“It was a bit of a struggle early on for us tonight but I’m very proud of the way the girls responded in the second half,” SFA head coach <a href="http://sfajacks.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/mtt/amato_tony00.html">Tony Amato</a> said. “That was a terrific way to start the season by beating a quality opponent in the season opener in the fashion we did.”</p>
<p>Sadler, a first-team all-conference selection from last season, scored the goal in the 65th minute off an assist from sophomore <a href="http://sfajacks.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/mtt/raymond_chelsea00.html">Chelsea Raymond</a> by beating her defender towards the upper right-hand edge of the box before delivering the game-winner back across the body of Houston goalkeeper Cami Koski into the upper left-hand corner of the net.</p>
<p>“That goal was just Sadler being Sadler,” Amato said. “She’s one of our best playmakers and she just made a great drive around her defender before finishing strong.”</p>
<p>Just nine minutes later, freshman midfielder <a href="http://sfajacks.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/mtt/owens_rachel00.html">Rachel Owens</a> delivered the play of the night by scoring her first collegiate goal on a spectacular booming shot from over 30 yards away past the outstretched arms of Koski.</p>
<p>The Ladyjacks improved to 4-4 all-time against the Cougars and 9-8-1 in season openers.</p>
<p>SFA (1-0) outshot Houston 17-5 and 7-3 shots on goal. Ladyjacks goalkeeper <a href="http://sfajacks.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/mtt/lee_lacey00.html">Lacey Lee</a> recorded her first win of the season by stopping three shots. SFA also won the corner kick battle 7-0.</p>
<p>The Ladyjacks will next travel to Jackson State on Sunday for a 1 p.m. match.</p>
<p> -SFA-</p>
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