TXST Release:
SAN MARCOS, Texas – Three goals in a three-minute span was the difference Thursday night as the Texas State soccer team (1-0-0) claimed a come from behind 3-1 victory over McNeese (0-1-0) at the Bobcat Soccer Complex.
The three tallies are the most by the Bobcats in a regular season opener since finding the back of the net three times at Northwestern State in 2013.
Despite outshooting the Cowgirls 11-1 in the first half, the Bobcats found themselves trailing 1-0 at halftime as Rachel Young knocked home the lone attempt in the period in the 43rd minute.
Just over two minutes into the second half, it appeared that that Addison Peters tied the match off a corner kick. However, she was just offsides to nullify the score.
Bailey Peschel received a pass from Zoe Junior after Texas State won the ball off a goal kick. The graduate forward drove down the left side and sent in a cross. Junior ran in unmarked and redirected the ball into the back of the net near the front post to tie the match late in the 71st minute.
Midway through the 74th minute Kennley Bradley sent in a free kick with the ball finding Victoria Meza, who attempted a bicycle kick to redirect the ball to the middle of the box. Lucy Hart was able to toe poke the ball home to put the Bobcats ahead 2-1.
Just 20 seconds later, Junior battled a defender to eventually get the ball to Lily Erb. The sophomore uncorked a shot a left-footed shot from 20 yards out into the upper right corner for her first career tally and increase the advantage to two goals.
Alexis Neal came off the bench to pace the team with a career-high four shots. Taking three shots, all in the first half, was sophomore Mady Soumare. Both of Junior’s shot attempts were on frame.
In goal, Beth Agee started and made one save over the first 84 minutes. Caitlyn Draper came on for the final six minutes as she made her collegiate debut.
Next up for the Bobcats is a meeting with Central Arkansas on Sunday at the Bobcat Soccer Complex. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
