PRAIRIE VIEW – Despite a career-high nine saves by junior goalkeeper
Alexis Espino, the Prairie View A&M soccer team dropped a 1-0 tilt to Sam Houston State Sunday afternoon at the PVAMU Soccer Complex.
"I felt like we started off a lot slower in the first 22 minutes," said head PVAMU coach
Sonia Curvelo. "When we took the first water break it was important for us to regroup. I talked with the players and told them at the end of the day you have to play good on Friday and turn around and play good on Sunday to. That's the way we play in SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) as well. As the game progressed I felt like we continued to get better, pressing more and getting the ball up the field. There was a late opportunity that Lexi (
Alexis Mack) had in front of the goal that could have changed the dynamics of the game. Today we played average and we have to play better in order to win games."
Prairie View A&M (1-6) was unable to mount quality offensive chances, as the Bearkats held a 9-1 advantage in shots during the first 45 minutes. Sam Houston striker Courtney Pawlik accounted for the lone score of the day, capitalizing on a Brooke Jones pass to put the Bearkats ahead in the 15
th minute.
The Lady Panthers were put on the defensive early in the second half, but Espino was up to the challenge, stonewalling three Bearkat shots within the first five minutes of the period.
Though Espino and the Lady Panthers defense turned in a clean sheet over the final half, the Prairie View attackers couldn't sustain an charge over the course of the match.
Prairie View A&M was outshot 18-4 in the match, with the Bearkats getting 10 shots on goal compared to the Lady Panthers two. Sam Houston State held a 6-0 advantage in corner kicks.
Senior defender
Alexis Mack led PVAMU with two shots, and she and senior midfielder Gina Zavala de Rojas had one try on goal. The duo was two of six Lady Panthers to play all 90 minutes of the game.
Next up:
Prairie View A&M returns to action next Sunday, Sept. 22 as the Lady Panthers host St. Thomas in their final non-conference match of the season. First touch is set for 1 p.m.
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