Texas State Soccer Heads For Sun Belt Conference Championship Semifinals
A defensive battle in the first half saw the teams combine for four shots, three coming from TXST. None of the attempt were on frame.
Junior Kaylee Davis headed home the lone goal of the Texas State soccer team’s 1-0 victory over eighth seeded Troy on Friday in the first round of the Sun Belt Conference Championship held at the Foley Sports Complex.
With the win, the Bobcats improve to 11-5-2 on the season and have extended their unbeaten streak to 11 matches. The Trojans conclude the year with a 5-14-2 record.
A defensive battle in the first half saw the teams combine for four shots, three coming from TXST. None of the attempt were on frame. Two of the Bobcats’ shots sailed over the crossbar and a long, low attempt by Addison Gaetano went right of the post.
In the 58th minute, Davis placed the first shot on goal by either squad. She sent a low shot towards the back post that was tipped away by the goalkeeper for a corner kick.
The Sun Belt Player of the Year found the back of the net late in the 63rd minute. Haley Groff send a shot down the left side where Genesis Turman made one touch before sending in the cross to the back post. Davis was there to smash home her header attempt for the 1-0 lead.
Groff had a great look on frame from the left side. She hit a curling ball that had to be knocked away by the keeper to keep it a one-goal match in the 71st minute.
Just over 10 minutes later, Renny Moore took a crack from the left side that again saw the goalie make a diving stop. Kayla Geren followed by sending the ball back across the goal line that failed to go over.
Davis took a match-high five shots and placed four of them on goal as TXST held a 15-5 advantage in shots and 6-2 in shots on goal. The Allen, Texas native’s score was her 17th of the season to move within one of tying the Bobcats single-season mark. It was also her seventh match-winning goal to set a new Texas State record.
The assist for Turman was her fifth of the year to tie Jordan Kondikoff for the team lead. For Groff, it was her third assist of the season.
Heather Martin made two saves with the first coming on a 40-yard free kick. Her second came with under a minute to play with an attempt that was right at her from about 25 yards out.
The victory was her 11th this season to tie her for fifth on the program’s single-season list. For her career, Martin now has 25 wins to move into a tie for second in TXST history with Caitlynn Rinehart (2012-15).
It was the eighth shutout of the season for the Midlothian, Texas native to tie the program’s season record. Martin is now alone in third on the career list with 14 shutouts.
Next up for the Bobcats is a semifinal matchup with fifth seeded South Alabama. Kickoff will be at 4 p.m. and streamed on ESPN+.
For the latest 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.
Goals2Cure: https://pledgeit.org/goals2cure2018
Box Score: https://txstatebobcats.com/boxscore.aspx?id=5490&path=wsoc
