Lady Lions and rain fall in Victoria

Jaguars pull away late in 5-0 setback

VICTORIA, Texas -- A young and improving women’s soccer team from Southwestern Assemblies of God University had their moments against the University of Houston at Victoria on Saturday. But it was the equally young Jaguars who cashed in on their opportunities for a 5-0 win that was much closer than the score indicates.

A penalty near their goal called against the Lady Lions resulted in a penalty kick in the game’s third minute was all the scoring in a first half that was played in a rainstorm. The Jaguars, who are now 5-3 this season as an NAIA independent, added a second goal on cornerkick that was headed past freshman goalie Haley Shingleton (Pasadena, Tx / Deer Park HS).

SAGU's defense, their strength this season, kept them in the game until the closing ten minutes, when UH-Victoria scored on a breakaway and added two more goals in the final four minutes.

The Lady Lions, in dropping their third consecutive match, slipped to 2-5. They were shutout for the fourth time this season.
Assistant coach Allie Gudmundson reported the team struggled to finish several of their best bids to score, but “connected on a number of offensive passes while playing at our fastest pace all season.”

Firepower on offense, a challenge to develop, shows positive signs for head coach Mandy Fortner’s  team. Jessica Powell (Terrell, Tx / Terrell HS) had two solid shots on goal and Noelle Pugliese (Lee’s Summit, Mo / Lee’s Summit North HS) had another chance, but both were denied by UHV keeper Tabitha Segovia.

Senior Dani Garcia (Tucson, Az / Rio Rico HS), the team leader in both goals and assists (three of each), fired a pair of shots, but couldn’t put one through against the host Red Cats.

Shingleton led the defensive efforts for SAGU with five saves. The Jaguars had the game’s only three cornerkicks. In fouls assessed, the Lady Lions had 10 to eight against UHV.

Two road tilts this week

Southwestern returns to the pitch with two road games, Thursday at Northwood University in nearby Cedar Hill, and Saturday at LSU-Shreveport. Both matches have a 1:00pm start time.

The Lady Knights are 0-7-1 so far, though their competition has been stiff. A year after posting a 13-4-3 record, the defending RRAC champions have been outscored 35-5 in pre-conference games. UHV edged them in their opener, 1-0. Last fall the Knights edged SAGU, 1-0.

Contact: Mark “Link” Warde , Sports Information Director, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 469-658-2847.