Oct. 22, 2006

Box Score

SAN MARCOS - Kim Phillips' goal off a deflection two minutes into overtime gave the Texas State women's soccer team a 1-0 win over rival Northwestern State and guaranteed the Bobcats a spot in the Southland Conference Tournament Sunday afternoon at the Bobcat Soccer Complex.

Delayna Spivey's pass in the 92nd minute hit off a Northwestern State defender and went straight to Phillips, who found herself one-on-one with Demon goalie Krystle Donaldson and beat the keeper in the bottom left corner of the net.

The goal was Phillips' team-leading seventh of the season and came on a day honoring the Phillips and the eight other seniors on the Bobcat soccer team, who were presented with flowers and honorary plaques afterward.

The game itself was far from rosy though as the two teams and strong rivals combined for 49 fouls and two yellow cards.

Texas State (5-11-2, 3-2-2) dominated most of the match, controlling possession throughout the first half and holding the Demons (8-8-2, 3-3-1) without a shot through the first 45 minutes. The Bobcats nearly scored in the first half, but were victims of either bad luck or the goalkeeping of Donaldson, who finished the game with 11 saves but took the loss.

In the 28th minute Spivey headed in a ball off a corner kick, but the goal was disallowed when the referee ruled Spivey illegally interfered with the goalie, resulting in the yellow card. The Bobcats also missed other chances as both Phillips and Natalie Holder hit the crossbar on shots. For the game Texas State out-shot Northwestern State 20-6. Bobcat senior goalie Paige Perriraz recorded two saves to earn her first win of 2006.

With the win, Texas State (5-11-2, 3-2-2) clinched one of the top six positions needed to qualify for the Southland Conference Tournament, which will be hosted by the Bobcats at the Bobcat Soccer Complex Nov. 2-5. The `Cats will be no worse than fifth and could be as high as third, depending on the results from other SLC games still going on Sunday afternoon. Northwestern State dropped in the standings but is still guaranteed an SLC Tournament berth as well.

The Bobcats still have one more regular season game to play, as they will travel to Nacogdoches to face Stephen F. Austin on Friday, Oct. 27. Kickoff for the regular season finale for both schools will be at 7:00 p.m.