The soccer team went on the road Friday to face Incarnate Word for its final game of the season, winning with a score of 2-1.
With this win and a loss by Northwestern State, the Wildcats finished the season in third place in the Southland Conference for the second consecutive year.
“Ending the game yesterday was pretty emotional for everyone because of how impactful our seniors have been and how much their presence will be missed,” said junior midfielder Chloe Fifer. “I’m happy we got to send them off the field with a win for one last time.”
The Wildcats began the scoring with a goal from sophomore forward Dylan Owens in the 15th minute of the first half.
Fifer assisted on the goal giving her an impressive eighth assist on the season.
At the 38th minute of the first half, sophomore Sam Batley of Incarnate Word would score to tie the game at one a piece.
No more goals were allowed until the 75th minute of the second half when Owens scored her second goal of the game, and her fourth of the season, to put the Wildcats up 2-1 and eventually win the game.
“The game was full of emotions, and all I wanted to do was enjoy this last game with the seniors,” Owens said. “They impacted this team more than words can say because of their leadership and intensity. I don’t take credit for the goals because it was a team effort and all that matters is that I even got a chance to play with some amazing women.”
Senior goalkeeper Sydney Newton closed out the season with a total of 75 saves along with a 0.89 goals against average and a .843 save percentage.
Sophomore midfielder Sophie Standifer was healing an injury for most of conference play, however, she was cleared to play yesterday and was credited with an assist on the second goal.
“When I found out about my injury, my goal was to get back in time to play that one last game this season,” Standifer said. “I was just so excited to be back on the field again and the assist made it so much sweeter. It was a really good game to have the seniors go out with and I think ending on a positive note will set us up for an even better season next year.”
The Wildcats concluded the 2016 season with an 8-2-1 conference record and a 9-8-2 overall record. They finished just behind Stephen F. Austin and Central Arkansas in the standings.
