Last-minute goal edges SAGU

Lambdin scores pair for Lions

Home finale on Saturday to honor seniors

HOBBS, New Mexico -- The Southwestern Assemblies of God University women’s soccer team came within 103 seconds of ending their league losing streak at seven games on Saturday.

Tied at 2-2, the University of the Southwest netted the game winner at 88:17 (of the ninety-minute match) for a 3-2 triumph for the Lady Mustangs (4-7-1, 2-5-1 in RRAC).

The decisive goal was a loose ball in the middle of a crowd. Sophomore Andie Nakamura booted the shot amidst the pack. As SAGU goalie Haley Shingleton (Pasadena, Tx / Deer Park HS) dove to make a save, the ball deflected off the ankle of a Lady Lion, and rolled inside the opposite post.

It was Nakamura's sixth goal of the season and eleventh in two years for the "Hobbs Squad."

The Lady Lions had just knotted the score 1:13 earlier when Amy Lambdin  (Stockton, Cal / Elliot Christian) booted her second goal of the game at the 87:17 mark. The 5’7 freshman has played in all 15 games this season for SAGU.

Lambdin was planning to attend Bethany University in Scotts Valley, California. The oldest Assemblies of God University, however, closed its doors this year, prompting the former player at Jim Elliot Christian High School (Lodi, Cal) to consider SAGU.

She opened the scoring for Southwestern with her first tally, which came 12:27 into the action. Fellow Californian Amber Belisle (Roseville, Cal / Whitney HS) assisted by sending a through-ball past two defenders. Lambdin, one-on-one with the keeper, ripped a left-footed shot as the goalie approached. She placed it inside the opposite post for a 1-0 lead.

Her encore was even more impressive.

Junior Jessica Powell (Terrell, Tx / Terrell HS) played a ball from the left-center of the field. She connected with Lambdin on the right flank by placing the ball directly in her path.

According to first year head coach Mandy Fortner, Lambdin took the ball about 20 yards and then unloaded a shot from outside the box from about 35 yards out. It found the top-left corner of the goal and leveled the score at two.

The pair of goals formed a bookend for two scores by USW until the heartbreaker at the end.

Shingleton had a very good game between the pipes. The freshman stood tall while making a dozen saves.

Lady Lions Scoring 2011

Measurable progress

Southwestern is now 2-13 for the season, including an 0-8 mark in the Red River Athletic Conference. It was the fourth one-goal setback for the 'Cats, who have shown improvement this fall, a year after posting a 1-15 mark. The 2010 team was outscored 58-7 while this year's edition has scored 12 and allowed 48 with one remaining game.

Team Lioness will close the 2011 campaign on Saturday, October 29, when they welcome Huston-Tillotson University (4-10, 2-6 in RRAC) for a 1:00pm clash. Senior players will be honored on this day.

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.