THIBODAUX, La. – A second-half goal by
Kristen Sueltz from
Allyson Reed gave the East Texas A&M University soccer team a much-needed 1-0 victory over the Nicholls Colonels, who came into Sunday afternoon being undefeated in conference play, at the Thibodaux Regional Sports Complex.
The Lions snapped a two-match losing skid and now improve to 3-7-3 overall as well as 2-3 in Southland Conference play. The Colonels are off to a 4-4-6 start overall and are now 2-1-3 against Southland opponents. With just five matches left in the regular season, the Lions are in eighth place, but just three points back of fourth place.
The top seven teams in the Southland qualify for the conference tournament set for November 10-15 in Commerce at the Lion Soccer Field.
"I'm incredibly proud of our team's win today on the road against an undefeated Nicholls team. Sunday matches are all about mentality and grit, and we were really good on both sides of the ball," said coach
Ashley Gordon.
ET withstood six Colonels attacking actions from 71:04 to 81:26 without conceding during the second-half shutout. ET created the clearer early chances in the first half, with Reed (Cleburne) forcing saves in the 11th and 18th minutes.
Lena Junior (Frisco – Liberty) also sent a shot high during the opening stretch, while ET dealt with five offside calls before halftime. The first half finished without a goal.
Sueltz (The Colony) put ET in front in the 68
th minute, finishing a chance assisted by Reed. It was Sueltz's 10th career goal. The Colonels followed with a run of shots, but
Emmy Finlinson (Eagle Mountain, Utah) saved an attempt in the 73
rd minute and ET kept the home side off the board. ET finished the second half with the segment's only goal and won 1-0.
"Kristen's goal was not only gutsy, but a moment of real quality. Her ability in the air and her bravery in the box ultimately won us the match," added Gordon.
"Our backline and goalkeeper were outstanding today. They absolutely deserved that shutout."
Sueltz scored the game-winning goal and put both of her shots on goal. It was her first match-winning goal of the season. Reed recorded the assist and led ET with three shots, including two on goal. ET has recorded at least seven shots on goal in two consecutive games.
Emmy Finlinson played all 90 minutes in goal and posted a shutout with one save.
UP NEXT
The Lions return home to host A&M-Corpus Christi on Thursday at 7 p.m. for Faculty & Staff Appreciation Night. All Lion Faculty & Staff members can contact
LionTickets@etamu.edu for free tickets to the match.
-ETAMU-
