TXST Release:
TROY, Ala. – A goal apiece from Kiara Gonzales and Wimberley Wright in the last seven minutes propelled the Texas State soccer team (11-2-2, 5-1-1 Sun Belt) to a 2-1 victory over Troy at the Troy Soccer Complex on Sunday. The win, along with other results on the day, clinched the Bobcats’ spot in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament as well.
“We were not very good in the first half, which is something we have seen from this team before. We made some adjustments at halftime and were much better and more focused,” said head coach Steve Holeman. “It was a bit of a grind, but we found a way to get three points on the road which is never easy. Proud of this team and their continued effort to fight to the end.
The first half saw the Bobcats limited to just two shots with both being on frame. The best look came from Olivia Wright in the 15th minute. Her right-footed shot attempt from the top of the penalty box went right into the goalkeeper’s arms.
A couple other opportunities arose for TXST during the first 45 minutes but a Trojan player was able to clear it out at the last second before a shot could be tried each time.
Troy got on the scoreboard when a drop ball was sent deep down the field. Jayla Gage was able to win the ball and put it into the top portion of the net early in the 44th minute.
Coming out in the second half, the Bobcats put pressure on the Trojan defense. Both Zoe Junior and Goss took a shot each late in the 51st minute. However, both were stopped with Wright’s attempt getting knocked away by a defender and the goalkeeper making a diving stop on Junior’s shot.
Junior had another good look on frame in the 65th minute but was unable to get enough power. Alexis Neal followed 14 minutes later with a shot that made the keeper dive to keep TXST off the scoreboard.
In the 84th minute, Avery Thies sent a pass towards Junior and the sophomore juked out a defender to get separation. She used her speed to get down the sideline and sent a cross into the box. The keeper leapt but misjudged it and Gonzales was able to get a foot out at the back post to tap in home for the equalizer.
A corner kick was sent during latter half of the 87th minute from Madi Goss. It went over a jumping Trojan found Wimberley Wright, who got her right foot on the ball to send it towards frame. The ball went between the legs of a defender and O. Wright shielded the view of the goalkeeper that is normally seen in ice hockey, which allowed the ball to go into the back of the net to put the Bobcats ahead 2-1.
Texas State’s defense held Troy shotless for the final few minutes of the match to improve to 4-0-2 on the road this year.
The goal for Gonzales was her second of the season while O. Wright tallied her fourth of the year. It was also the second straight match in which she tallied a late match-winner.
Both teams finished with 11 shots with the Bobcats holding a 9-4 advantage in shots on goal. O. Wright led all players with three shots. Taking two attempts apiece were Junior and Neal.
In goal, Katelyn Chrisman made three saves on the afternoon. She now has 58 stops in her career and is four shy of entering the program’s top 10 list.
Next up for Texas State is a West Division showdown with South Alabama on Thursday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Bobcat Soccer Complex.
