Women's Soccer falls, 1-0, on late PK

Team Purp shows solid progress

Lady Lions control game, outshoot Jaguars, 18-9

WAXAHACHIE, Texas  --  Visual progress is eye candy to observers. Once a building’s below ground and foundation have been completed, passersby slow down and express oohs and ahs.

But few can appreciate the site work involved except for architects and contractors.

Saturday’s performance by the Southwestern Assemblies of God University women’s soccer team was the team’s best effort of the season.

Despite outshooting the University of Houston at Victoria by an 18-9 count, the Lady Lions surrendered a penalty kick in the 82nd minute and lost 1-0. But they looked very good in the process. They were a sight for sore eyes!

Patricia Negrete, a 5’3 freshman defender from Cedar Park, Texas, booted the shot at 81:22 into the contest. SAGU goalie Haley Shingleton (Pasadena, Tx / Deer Park HS) was called for a foul in the box while going for the ball. It resulted in the spot kick from 12 yards out.

Shingleton, who had stifled all seven of the Jaguars shots on goal and was enjoying a solid outing, had pushed an attacker from a centering pass in the goal mouth.

The loss was the team’s third by one goal and dropped their record to 0-6. SAGU has 12 games left on the slate, five of them on their home pitch.

SAGU will play at Dallas Christian College on Monday at 3:00pm.

Fans can catch the Purple Pride in action three times in the next ten days. SAGU hosts Northwood University (3-3) this Thursday, September 20, at 3:00pm (CST).

They have LSU-Shreveport, currently 3-3, in town next Saturday, Sept. 22. It is set for a 1pm start. Southwestern Christian University (Ok) (2-2-1) visits Waxahachie on Monday afternoon, Sept. 24, at 2pm.

A targeted area of needed growth, the Lady Lions ball possession game, specifically their passing, was dramatically improved.

Adrian Rigby, the UHV coach said, “They are much improved over the team we beat a year ago. They frustrated us by keeping the ball and creating scoring opportunities.”

“They made us work harder than we did two days ago in Odessa.” The Jaguars (4-3) defeated UT-Permian Basin by a 3-1 verdict.

SAGU Scoring Threats

SAGU had three or four prime scoring chances but rushed or just missed each one.

In the game’s 35th minute Amy Lambdin (Stockton, Cal / Elliot Christian) took a feed from Noelle Pugliese (Lee’s Summit, Mo / North HS). Her kick missed left.

Pugliese (pug-LEES) spotted freshman McKina Michael (Plano, Tx / West HS) for a shot in the second half. But it, too, whistled past the left post.

Amber Belisle (Roseville, Cal / Whitney HS) narrowly misfired twice down the stretch. The first came with twenty-six minutes remaining. Lambdin connected with her on the edge, where Belisle (beh-LIE-yul) maneuvered inside for a shot.

Two minutes later, Lambdin had the keeper beat by lifting a touch-shot to the far right corner. It ached as it missed by inches.

When Belisle’s bid to break the scoreless deadlock sailed over the crossbar in the 70th, it appeared inevitable the home team would prevail. They had the Jags on their heels.

But Houston-Victoria regrouped for several closing charges. The last one set up the PK.

SAGU’s last chance came with 2:30 left on the clock. Pugliese got open inside. She tried to squeeze a shot to Jennifer Sanchez’s left, but the freshman with a 1.83 goals against average went low to preserve the victory.

View from Sideline: Coach's Perspective

“That was a fun game to watch,” said a pleased SAGU Head Coach Mandy Fortner, “I was so proud to see how well we possessed the ball. Our passes were much quicker and cleaner. We turned the ball over very few times and we were able to control the middle of the field.”

“I was also happy to see us taking more chances at the goal. We were patient in looking for opportunities to go forward,” she pointed out. “When we did go forward we had a smooth pace and we found each other on the run.”

“I was very happy with the way that the team worked together and communicated. If we continue to improve the way we have been, I really believe we can compete better in conference this year.”

The coach commended junior defender Vicky Hagemeier (Kalemie, D.R.Congo / Complex Scolaire Thabiti) for what she called a great game.

“She worked tirelessly in the back and was still able to get involved in the attack. Twice she was able to bring the ball out of pressure and down the line ending in what could have been two beautiful assists."

"She is one player that I have been delighted to see grow and develop in two short years.”

Contact: Mark “Link” Warde, SAGU 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.