Nov. 3, 2005

Box Score

NATCHITOCHES, La. - Texas State goalkeeper Paige Perriraz made seven saves and Amy Benton scored the game winning goal as the Bobcats defeated McNeese State 3-1 in the first round of the Southland Conference Soccer Tournament on Thursday afternoon at Northwestern State's soccer complex.

Delayna Spivey scored just 14 seconds into the game for Texas State (9-9 overall, 6-2 SLC). It was her fifth score of the season and her third in as many games. The goal came when the Bobcats drove from centerfield to start the game. Spivey positioned herself just outside the box and moved around a defender to put the ball past Cowgirl goalkeeper Aubrey Ross.

After initial offensive pressure by the `Cats, McNeese State was able to slow down the game and notch nine shots, though none resulted in goals. Perriraz made two saves in the first half for Texas State.

The Bobcats went up 3-0 after second half on goals by Benton (4) and Natalie Holder (4). Holder's unassisted goal at the 61:35 mark put the contest out of reach for the Cowgirls, who out shot Texas State 17-16 on the afternoon.

Freshman Reagan McNutt made a team-best three shots in the winning effort, while both Holder and defender Kim Phillips made two shots on goal for the `Cats.

Texas State shutout the Cowgirls until there were just 12 minutes left in regulation. Midfielder Renee Landers snuck one past Perriraz on a pass from fellow midfielder Cynthia Torres. Ross made five saves for the Cowgirls in the loss.

In other Tournament action, no.-5 Sam Houston State (4-11-1, 4-3-1 SLC) defeated no.-4 Louisiana-Monroe (9-9-2, 2-4-2 SLC) 2-1 before Texas State and McNeese took the field.

Semifinal action commences on Friday afternoon when Sam Houston meets SLC Regular Season Champion Stephen F. Austin (14-3, 7-0 SLC) at 4:30 p.m. Texas State meets the two-seeded host program Northwestern State (11-5-1, 6-1 SLC) at 7 p.m. The Championship match is set for Sunday at 1 p.m.