TXST SOCCER
Texas State scored the most goals in program history at a conference tournament game with a 4-0 win over the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament semifinals.
The Bobcats and Head Coach Steve Holeman battled the elements and a long weather delay to advance to the conference championship game for the first time since 2018.
“I thought we did a nice job of disrupting their rhythm and a great job of finishing our chances,” Holeman said. “This was definitely not your average game with the long delay in the second half but our girls handled it well. It’s a great feeling to be heading to the finals in such a competitive league. I am really proud of what we’ve accomplished so far, but our team knows there is more to be done.”
Dealing with heavy rains throughout the entire game, the Bobcats struck first in only the 3rd minute of the semifinal. Junior Lily Erb received the pass before dribbling the ball around several defenders. Erb then took the shot, which bent around the goalkeeper and put the Bobcats up 1-0.
Six minutes later, Texas State doubled their lead. Senior Mya Ulloa received the pass from junior Mady Soumare before beating the goalkeeper to put the Bobcats up 2-0.
Coastal attempted to cut the lead in the half but the Bobcat defense held the Chanticleers to just three shots in the first half with none being on goal.
Going into halftime, Texas State led 2-0.
In the 50th minute, the Bobcats added on to their lead. Sophomore Victoria Meza received the pass from Ulloa before battling three Chanticleer defenders in front of the goalkeeper. Meza kept the ball away from the defenders before slipping the ball past the keeper, while falling, to make it a 3-0 game. In the 53rd minute, Coastal Carolina had a chance to get back into the game with their first shot on goal. But goalkeeper Katelyn Chrisman denied the Chanticleer goal and kept Coastal off the scoreboard.
In the 64th minute, Coastal Carolina committed a foul inside the penalty box, giving the Bobcats the penalty kick. Sophomore midfielder and winner of the Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year Kaylie Smith was selected to take the shot before rocketing the ball past the goalkeeper. Going into the 65th minute, Texas State held a commanding 4-0 lead.
The game went into an 80-minute weather delay after the rain made the grass field unplayable. Play resumed before the officials called the game when a Coastal player went down with an injury due to the field conditions.
Texas State will play James Madison in the Sun Belt Tournament final with the winner earning the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Kickoff is set for Saturday at 7 p.m.
cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc
