Texas State Women’s Soccer Downs Little Rock

SAN MARCOS, Texas – For the fourth time in the last six game, the Texas State women’s soccer team had to go to overtime to decide the outcome Friday night at the Bobcat Soccer Complex. Unlike the previous three extra period contests, the Bobcats came out on top 1-0 over Little Rock in both teams’ Sun Belt Conference opener when senior forward Lauren Prater scored just over four minutes into the first overtime period during the Ovarian Cancer Awareness Match.

Texas State improved to 4-4-1 on the season and 1-0-0 in SBC play while the Trojans fall to 5-4-0 overall and 0-1-0 in conference action.

In the 16th minute, Prater had a good look to put the Bobcats in front when she received a long cross from Chandler Cooney. Her shot, though, sailed just over the crossbar

Little Rock had a solid chance on goal six minutes later when Mikayla Uyokpeyi drove down the right sideline and cut into the box. She unleashed a shot that Texas State goalkeeper Heather Martin punched away from danger.

Two minutes after the Trojans opportunity the Bobcats had another chance on the other side of the pitch. Rachel Grout sent a through ball forward to find an open Kassi Hormuth. Her shot attempt was on target but Little Rock’s Sara Small made a diving stop.

One of the best chances for Texas State came in the 56th minute. Hormuth was able to beat the defense to a long ball and sent a chip shot over the charging goalkeeper. Unfortunately, the ball went past the far left post for a goal kick.

In the 73rd minute, Clarissa Leon got to a loose ball near the goal line and sent the ball past the diving keeper. However, there were no Bobcats in the area to take advantage of the opportunity.

Texas State’s last solid chance at a goal in regulation was late in the 79th minute. Jordan Kondikoff ripped a shot from 15 yards out after receiving a pass from Grout. The ball nearly hit the left post but instead hit the outside of the left side netting.

Martin came up big with 10 seconds left on the clock when Quin Wilkes was able to get past the Bobcats’ defense. She unleashed a shot but Martin knocked down the ball and fell on it to prevent a rebound opportunity.

Almost 90 seconds into overtime, the Trojans’ Harrison Hayworth put a shot towards goal. Martin got her finger tips on it to send the ball off the right post but back into the field of play. Fali Garuba followed with an attempt that Martin was able to corral.

On the counter attack, Hormuth beat the defense and had a 1-v-1 opportunity with the goalkeeper. The keeper was fooled by which way she would go on the shot but the ball rolled just past the left post.

Early in the 95th minute Prater received a pass from Hormuth. She turned inside and sent a high, arching shot towards the goal. The ball sailed over the hands of the leaping goalkeeper for the game-winning goal. The score moved Prater into a tie for ninth on the career goals list with 16 and a tie for 10th in the career points list with 37.

Hormuth paced the Bobcats with three shots and Prater had two attempts. They both had one attempt on goal, along with Skylar Vanover-Hallmark. Martin made a career-high seven saves to earn her third win of the season and second shutout.

Little Rock outshot Texas State 18-9 and put seven shots on goal to the Bobcats three. The visitors also held an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks.

Texas State concludes its homestand Sunday at 12 p.m. against Georgia State.

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 Twitter at @TxStateSoccer.

Box Score: http://txstatebobcats.com/boxscore.aspx?path=wsoc&id=4626

Kat Conner Postgame: https://youtu.be/KST2BvDGPtI

Lauren Prater Postgame: https://youtu.be/jZ_hY2KWgnM