Bobcats draw in second straight conference game

By Daven Meredith

KTSW Sports 

SAN MARCOS, Texas —The Texas State Bobcats draw against The University of Troy Trojans 1-1 in their third Sun Belt Conference matchup of the year.

The Bobcats (6-3-2,1-0-2 Sun Belt Conference) tied for their second conference game in a row, putting them in the middle of the pack in a competitive west division. 

“Very disappointed, that’s not a great tie,” said coach Steve Holeman. “I thought we had good possession. Unfortunately, we didn’t create a lot of clear chances. Credit to Troy, they made it difficult. I think we needed to take advantage of the opportunities we had early on.” 

The Bobcats would jump out to an early first-half lead thanks to forward Oliva Wright’s header off a corner kick late in the 20th minute, but could not produce any momentum off the lone goal.  

Bobcats forward Alexis Neal would lead the team with four shot attempts, being one of six Bobcats to put a shot on frame. Coach Holeman credits the Trojans’ compact and organized defense to the lack of scoring. 

“Numbers behind the ball, organized and compact,” said Holeman. “Not a lot of space in the middle and on the flanks.”

The Trojans would turn their defensive efforts from the first half into offensive attacks downfield when Trojan forward Dolce Villaflor scored early in the 73rd minute of the second half, tying the match one apiece. 

The Bobcats got an opportunity late in the 87th minute with Trojan goalkeeper Une Georgsen out of goal. Bobcat forward Zoe Junior had one defender between her and a Texas State win. Junior took the shot and connected but was called offside by the official, negating the Bobcats’ goal and win.

“That’s a goal we have to review,” Holeman said. “If anything, it should have been a penalty kick. Unfortunately, in this profession, sometimes you are at the mercy of the officials and don’t go our way.” 

The Bobcats look to bounce back and break their draw streak as they hit the road to take on the Georgia State Panthers in Atlanta at GSU Soccer Complex on Friday, Sept. 29, at 6:00 p.m.