SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Texas State soccer team battled to a 1-1 draw against a tough Georgia State squad Friday evening at the Bobcat Soccer Complex. The draw prevented the Bobcats from clinching a share of the Sun Belt Conference regular season title and makes Sunday's match a must win to claim it.
 
With the draw, TXST is now 9-5-2 on the season and remains undefeated in conference play at 7-0-2 while the Panthers are 6-9-2 overall and 4-4-1 in the Sun Belt. The Bobcats' nine-match unbeaten streak is tied for the third longest in program history, matching a streak set from Oct. 9 through Nov. 6, 2011.
 
Renny Moore took the first shot of the match in the third minute when she cut inside and took an attempt from just inside the box on the left side. Her slightly curving shot was caught by the goalkeeper to keep the match scoreless.
 
In the seventh minute, GSU's Brisa Zavala passed the ball over to an open Lily Barron on the left side. Barron's shot got by Heather Martin but a Bobcat defender was able to get back and attempt to clear the ball away. Unfortunately, the clearance went straight into the top of the net for an own goal and 1-0 Panthers advantage.
 
Just over a minute later Mackenzie Smith nearly tied the match when her shot was tipped away by the keeper for a corner kick. Moore whipped in the corner kick and the ball was knocked out of the 18-yard box by a GSU defender. Jordan Kondikoff was able to keep the ball within the offensive third and sent a high looping shot towards the right side of frame that was caught but mishandled by the goalie. A TXST player was there to knock the ball in but the goal was waived off for being offside.
 
Kaylee Davis almost put one in from just outside the penalty box in the 26^th minute. The ball rattled the crossbar and stay in play. That allowed another look on frame from Smith that again saw the Panther goalkeeper tip the ball just past the left post.
 
Smith's third attempt on goal came in halfway through the 49^th minute off another corner kick from Moore. She headed ball towards the goal but was unable to get enough power on it as the Panthers' Madi Card knocked the ball down and was cleared away by a defender.
 
Late in the 72^nd minute, Paige Crossman had a go at goal after the ball was knocked around following a cross. Her shot ended up going straight at the goalie.
 
Halfway through the 78^th minute, Davis was able to flick the ball past center defensive back Ava Jouvenel. As the junior forward spun to beat Jouvenel and only having to beat one more defender for a one-on-one opportunity with the keeper, Jouvenel intentionally tangled her legs with Davis' and was called for a foul. She got away with nearly smacking Davis in the face while the Allen, Texas native was trying to get untangled from her. Brooke Smith was issued a yellow card after coming over and shoving Davis.
 
The Bobcats were unable to take advantage of the ensuing free kick from just over midfield. They did catch a break when a GSU defender tried to control the ball in the 18-yard box but it hit off her hand away from her body and award TXST with a penalty kick.
 
Davis stepped up and sunk her the penalty kick into the left side of the netting to knot the score at 1-1 with eight minutes left in regulation. It was her 15^th goal of the season and 12^th during Sun Belt play.
 
The best chances for both squads came in the second 10-minute overtime frame. In the 101^st minute, a cross found Monique Hundley from about eight yards out. She was unable to direct the ball on goal as it sailed wide of the left post.
 
Davis used her speed to beat two defenders down the right side in the middle of the 104^th minute. She uncorked a shot that sailed just over the crossbar.
 
Davis, Kondikoff and Smith all took a team-high three shots on the night. Sarah Everett placed both of her shot attempts on goals off of free kicks.
 
Martin made six saves to give her 70 on the season. Her total is now the eighth most by a Bobcat in a season in program history as she passed Lauren Frazier (66; 2010) and Mandi Mawyer (67; 2008) on the evening.
 
The regular season concludes Sunday at home against Coastal Carolina with kickoff slated for 1 p.m. A win in the match would clinch the Sun Belt regular season championship while a tie or loss forces the Bobcats to wait and see the results of Little Rock's and the Chanticleer's rescheduled matches next week. A tie on Sunday would clinch at least the second seed in the conference tournament.
 
After Sunday's contest, the team will honor the contribution seniors Kelly Barbalias and Jamie Brown have made to the program the past four years.
 
For more information on the Texas State soccer team, visit the official website of Texas State Athletics at www.txstatebobcats.com, like on Facebook at Texas State Soccer and follow on Instagram and Twitter at @TxStateSoccer.