TXST Release:
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Texas State soccer team (9-1-2, 3-0-1 Sun Belt) picked up a 1-0 victory over Southern Miss (1-6-2, 1-2-1 Sun Belt) in its first-ever trip to the Magnolia State on Saturday to remain atop the Sun Belt Conference West Division.
The Bobcats outshot the Golden Eagles 14-6 but were only able to place two shots on goal, those coming off from Kiara Gonzales and Alexis Neal. Attempting two shots apiece were Haley Shaw, Olivia Wright, Gonzales and Neal.
In goal, Katelyn Chrisman made three saves on the afternoon. She also recorded her third shutout of the year to tie for the third most ever by a TXST sophomore goalkeeper.
Zoe Junior appeared to put the Bobcats on the board in the 19th minute as she put the ball past the goalkeeper after receiving a through ball from Madi Goss. However, the goal was disallowed as Junior was ruled to have been offsides.
In the 52nd minute, Juana Plata sent in a short cross from the near side of the field and found an incoming Gonzales. The senior forward’s one-touch attempt was knocked away at the post for a corner kick by the goalie at the last second to keep the contest scoreless.
Kamaria Williams drove down the left side and cut back to free herself from a defender in the early part of the 72nd minute. The senior sent in a cross that was targeting Mya Ulloa. A Golden Eagle defender was in front of Ulloa and tied to head the ball away. However, the ball hit off the bottom of the crossbar and ricocheted into the back of the net instead to put the Bobcats up 1-0.
The best chance that USM had at finding the tying tally came with a little under three minutes to play. A shot from inside the box by Ilana Izquierdo was hit hard enough to get by a couple of TXST players but was easily corralled by Katelyn Chrisman.
Next up the Bobcats is a meeting with the James Madison in a battle of Sun Belt division leaders on Thursday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Bobcat Soccer Complex.
