Seven Flat: Lady jags pace for SWAC play

Southern took a trip through the Sahara as they’ve hit a non-conference drought on the road, being placed against a hardened schedule before conference play.
The Lady Jags have fallen in all of their non-conference matchups in which (5) were away and two losses at Mumford.
Southern (0-7) now falls deep after taking a heavy offensive loss of 0-5 on September 17 against Louisiana Tech and a defensive stride of 0-1 on September 20 against University of Louisiana Monroe.
Head Coach Courtnie Prather prides her ability to be defensive in which was shown during the ULM game.
During the LA Tech matchup, goalie Kendra Lewis, suffered at the drawbridge after the tutelage of Sarah Forde and coaches on staff. Lewis captured five saves in which Tech bolted 14 shots in the first period and 10 shots in the next. The bullets were intentionally fired for the hardworking goalie in which Lewis has had to syphon her energy to attempt to catch up at the defensive end.
“We are very surprised on what Kendra has had to do and she stepped up in a role that we did not expect her to play in right away. Problem being is she has to make too many saves,” said head coach Courtnie Prather.
Brittany Beddow placed the first goal from a penalty kick after a vicious foul on Southern which made for her third goal of the season at 11 minutes of the game. Next goal was carried by an assist from Kendall Ayers to Kaitlyn Cunningham at 41 minutes of the first period. After Cunningham’s made her goal of the season, at 43 minutes, she captured another off of the assist of Kendal Ayers.
In the second half, Southern held, but at 56 minutes, Monica Gebler scored her first goal of the season. To end the scoring drive of the game at 65 minutes, Cunningham came for another attempt and busted another goal.
After Cunningham’s goal, Southern held off the drive until the end of the game.
On September 20 at ULM Soccer Complex, Southern bit down hard and battled the Lady Eagles into a tremendous catfight.
Southern held the onslaught of shots 26-6 and the first half ULM coasted 18-1 shots until the 72nd minute when Antonia Land landed past the goal to attribute the only goal for the game.
“Southern made it difficult to play against because it bunkered up the game. We didn’t penetrate well in the first half but we really came to life in the second and I give our girls a lot of credit,” said ULM head coach Roberto Mazza.
“This was one of those games where you had to stay patient and capitalize on your chances.”
ULM (6-4-1) won their third consecutive non-conference game and Land’s goal came after a run down of the left side by Maia Mumford. The freshman placed the ball and Land scored the goal.
“We are happy going into conference play after a winning record and three straight shutouts,” said Mazza.
Their next opponents, Mississippi Valley (3-6) on September 20, laid waste to Arkansas-Pine Bkuff 8-2 to finish the matchup and also has slots at goalie for the season and already captured the first conference win.
Southern will recuperate and return to face in their SWAC opener against Mississippi Valley State at A.W. Mumford Stadium, Friday, September 25.