Oct. 12, 2008

Final Stats

SAN MARCOS - The Texas State Bobcats controlled the pace of the game from the first whistle and six Bobcats combined to score a season-high seven goals, while the defense shut down the Nicholls Lady Colonels for a 7-0 shutout victory at the Bobcat Soccer Complex Sunday afternoon.

The `Cats remain unbeaten in Southland Conference action with the win, improving to 4-0-1 against league opponents and 7-3-3 overall. Nicholls falls to 2-11-0 on the season and has yet to record a league win.

"Today was very high energy," said head coach Kat Conner. "We played our style of soccer and played up to Bobcat standards. We made some penetrating runs and had some great chances on goal that we put in for the win."

At 11:05 Britney Curry led Texas State on it offensive attack with help from Andrea Grifo and Erica Michaud. Grifo dribbled down the right side and found Michaud waiting in the pocket of the goal, and as the Lady Colonels defense drew to Michaud, the freshman crossed to Curry who was waiting eight yards out to punch in the first goal of the game.

The pair of Curry and Grifo combined again in the 14th minute, this time letting the junior head the charge to put Texas State up by two.

It was Curry again at 23:03 that took Bobcats up by three when Kelsey Bernard placed a great ball from the midfield to the sophomore. Curry took on NSU goalkeeper Sarah Damen and breezed the shot past her to sustain the rally.

Bernard's teammate mentality carried on to Lauren Lewis who recorded her first-career goal at 31:15, when she caught the great pass. Lewis tapped the goal from 16 yards out off the left post, making the score 5-0 leading into the half.

The quick break didn't slow the high-power offense and Nikki Kinard and Rikki Padia struck the final two goals for Texas State in the final half of regulation to give the team its seventh win of the season.

Nicholls' offense rarely held possession as the `Cats defense limited the squad to just four shots, two of which fell on goal. Texas State posted 26 shots and just ten missed the on-goal mark.

Mandi Mawyer and Deborah Ross combined between the posts to record one save each to shutout the Lady Colonels.

The Bobcats will take its undefeated conference streak on the road next weekend to face Sam Houston State and Stephen F. Austin Friday and Sunday, respectively.

"Next week, we will have a tough weekend on the road," said Conner. "Both teams are very well organized and will have similar strategies. We need to work hard and pressure their defense for the wins."

Game times are slated for 7 p.m. in Huntsville, before moving on to a 1 p.m. start in Nacogdoches, Texas.