The soccer team wraps its season Friday when it travels to Incarnate Word. The Wildcats currently sit at fourth in the Southland Conference, but will have a chance to finish second in the conference with a win and a loss from SFA and Northwestern State.
“We have focused on this game as the completion of a winning season,” said sophomore forward Dylan Owens. “Even though a win or loss won’t hugely impact the standings, we want to win it to prove that through the Div 1 transition we have qualified for the Southland Conference tournament each time, and done so with a good record.”
Going into the game against Incarnate Word, freshman defender Shay Johnson leads the team in goals with five while junior midfielder Chloe Fifer still leads the team with seven assists.
Fifer and senior forward Natalie Throneberry both lead the team in points with 13 each.
Senior goalkeeper Sydney Newton has 73 saves on the season with a goals against average of 0.88 and save percentage of .849. She posted her sixth shutout of the season in the Wildcat’s last game against Sam Houston State.
“We practiced on finishing this week, and I hope we can put some goals in the back of the net,” Owens said. “I just want to have fun and enjoy the experience of our last game with some great leaders.”
For Incarnate Word, sophomore Sam Batley leads the team in goals with three, as well as points with eight, and is also tied in the team lead of assists with two.
Junior goalkeeper Haley Nelson and sophomore goalkeeper Sydney Huntsinger have split time in the goal this year. Each team has made a total of 32 saves this season.
“The team is trying to stay motivated throughout practice this week and Coach Casey has talked about sending the seniors off on a good note, with a win Friday night,” said senior defender Kelsie Roberts. “For the seniors its been weird thinking this is our last week, but we’re staying positive and enjoying the final moments.”
Last year the Wildcats defeated Incarnate Word with a score of 4-0. Goals in the game came from current team members Owens, Fifer, and sophomore Sophie Standifer.
The women head into the match with a conference record of 7-2-1 while Incarnate Word has a record of 3-6-1.
