Nov. 2, 2008

Final Stats

SAN MARCOS, Texas - Early goals by the Texas State Bobcats Sunday afternoon led to a 7-0 blowout over the Central Arkansas Sugar Bears and the title 2008 Southland Conference Champions. The Bobcats made history in the feat, becoming the first Texas State squad to claim the title with an undefeated league record.

The Bobcats will enter the tournament hosted by McNeese State in Lake Charles, Louisiana on November 6-9 as the No. 1 seed with its 11-3-4 overall record and 7-0-2 SLC mark. Central Arkansas fell to 1-7-1, a mark that disqualifies the team for postseason action.

With only two minutes off the clock, Britney Curry put the Bobcats on the board as she worked her way past the Sugar Bears defense and struck from 10 yards out into the back of the net for a 1-0 game.

Not less than two minutes later, Rikki Padia took UCA goalkeeper Heather Joye on one-on-one, beating her out and connecting on the right side.

"The team came out ready to play today, said head coach Kat Conner." Central Arkansas was ready for the match, but we came out on a mission. We were able to get two quick goals that set the tone for the rest of the match and the whole team put forth a great effort."

The pair of two quick goals turned into a winning pattern for the Bobcats as they opened the series with the same scoring duo. Curry was back in action after receiving a cross from Andrea Grifo and slapped it straight pass Joye. The goal marked the sophomore's 12th score of the season, placing her No. 2 in the all-time record books for most goals scored in a season. Danielle Holloway holds the top spot after scoring 16 in 2004.

To complete the déjà-vu like first half, Padia marked her final game at the Bobcat Soccer complex with a second goal, matching her three-year combined tally in just one day. Padia scored on a punch that flew right past UCA's Joye off an assist from Curry.

Bobcats scoring never slowed as Kendall Webber improved the `Cats total to 3-0 in the 39th minute off a bizarre play. Lindsey Tippit took an open shot that went off a UCA defender and hit the crossbar. After the shot bounced back, Webber caught the remains and lifted the tally.

Coming off the momentum of a near score, Tippit took another chance, this time succeeding on a shot five yards out off a dish from Erica Michaud.

By halftime the Bobcats saw themselves up 6-0, forcing a keeper change, bringing in Molly Wynchuk. Deborah Ross also entered for the `Cats. Off a deflected shot in the final period of regulation, Nikki Kinard recorded the lone goal of the half to cap Texas State's victory.

Ross completed the half with two saves, and Mandi Mawyer recorded the win, improving her record to 5-1-2.

Texas State's next appearance on the field will be at the Ward 3 Complex in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The Bobcats No. 1 seed gives the team a bye on the first round of action. Texas State will face the winner of Stephen F. Austin and Southeastern Louisiana, which will be played on Thursday.

"I think it's amazing what these young ladies have done," added Conner. "It is a complete turnaround from last year, a year we did not even make the SLC tournament. It just shows the amount of heart and determination these young ladies have." Following the victory, Conner and assistant coach Megan Ramey honored Jami Batchelor, Reagan McNutt, Marty Wright and Padia in a senior appreciation ceremony.