| Freshman Erin Mackay scored the lone goal on Thursday night. |
LAKE CHARLES, La. ? Freshman Erin MacKay’s goal in the 72nd minute proved to be the difference maker in UTSA’s 1-0 win against sixth-seeded Northwestern State in first-round action of the 2008 Southland Conference Tournament.
“It’s tough to play a team twice within a five-day span,” head coach Steve Ballard said. “We did a great job against a good team tonight. Our girls came out and played like they were the better team and they deserved this win.”
MacKay put the Roadrunners (10-9-1) on the board midway through the second half. The League City native was able to knock the loose ball over the outstretched hands of Northwestern State’s goalie from 18 yards out.
Freshman goalkeeper Nicoline Joergensen preserved the win for UTSA, making one huge save late in the match.
Both goalies came up big in the opening half. Northwestern State’s (9-9-2) keeper made four saves on 13 shot attempts, while Joergensen collected three saves on six attempts to keep the match scoreless heading into intermission.
UTSA set a school-record with 10 wins in a single season and also posted its ninth shutout of the year in extending its unbeaten streak to six matches dating back. The Roadrunners have not lost since Oct. 12.
Junior Veronica Najera recorded a match-high seven shots, while junior Halee Hamm and MacKay added three shots apiece.
The Roadrunners will face No. 2 seed McNeese State in the second semifinal match at 7 p.m. on Friday.