SFA Blanks Houston 2-0 In Season Opener

by Kenny Bybee
August 17, 2012
<p><strong>NACOGDOCHES, Texas</strong>&nbsp;- 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>&nbsp;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>&ldquo;It was a bit of a struggle early on for us tonight but I&rsquo;m very proud of the way the girls responded in the second half,&rdquo; SFA head coach&nbsp;<a href="http://sfajacks.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/mtt/amato_tony00.html">Tony Amato</a>&nbsp;said. &ldquo;That was a terrific way to start the season by beating a quality opponent in the season opener in the fashion we did.&rdquo;</p> <p>Sadler, a first-team all-conference selection from last season, scored the goal in the 65th minute off an assist from sophomore&nbsp;<a href="http://sfajacks.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/mtt/raymond_chelsea00.html">Chelsea Raymond</a>&nbsp;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>&ldquo;That goal was just Sadler being Sadler,&rdquo; Amato said. &ldquo;She&rsquo;s one of our best playmakers and she just made a great drive around her defender before finishing strong.&rdquo;</p> <p>Just nine minutes later, freshman midfielder&nbsp;<a href="http://sfajacks.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/mtt/owens_rachel00.html">Rachel Owens</a>&nbsp;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&nbsp;<a href="http://sfajacks.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/mtt/lee_lacey00.html">Lacey Lee</a>&nbsp;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>&nbsp;-SFA-</p>
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