TXST SOCCER
The Bobcats are moving on to the Sun Belt Conference Tournament semifinals for the first time since 2018, defeating the App State Mountaineers 2-0 in their quarterfinal game.
Texas State and Head Coach Steve Holeman shutout their fourth straight opponent and will look to play in their first championship final since 2018.
“It is never easy to beat a quality team twice in the same season,” Holeman said. “This was a big win for our program and it’s great to advance to the semis in such a competitive league. I thought we controlled most of the game, but it was never comfortable. We had two nice finishes, and our defense was solid. We will definitely enjoy this result.”
After 22 scoreless minutes in the first half, the Bobcats were able to find themselves on the scoreboard.
Attacking the App State defense, junior forward Mady Soumare dribbled the ball while being surrounded by several Mountaineer defenders before passing to senior forward Mya Ulloa on the outside. Ulloa took a couple of steps before delivering a big time shot to the bottom left corner of the goal and past the goalkeeper to put Texas State up 1-0.
The Bobcat defense held the App State to just three shots in the first half with no shots on goal as Texas State entered halftime with a 1-0 lead.
Texas State extended their lead in the 48th minute. Receiving the ball off the free kick, Soumare charged the net as the opposing goalkeeper came out to meet the junior. Soumare beat the goalkeeper to the ball and found the back of the net to put Texas State up 2-0. The goal was Soumare’s ninth of the season.
Down 2-0, App State picked up their offensive pace in order to stave off elimination. However, the Mountaineers were denied any goals as goalkeeper Katelyn Chrisman came away with two saves in the 77th and 82nd minutes.
Time ran out on App State as the Bobcats came away with the 2-0 win.
Texas State will meet the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in the Sun Belt Tournament semifinals. The Chanticleers are coming off an upset win over the South Alabama Jaguars in a 2-1 victory.
Kickoff for Texas State-Coastal is set for today at 4 p.m.
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