Box Score

HAMMOND – Second-half goals by freshman Tabitha McReynolds and sophomore Kerry McWhirter pushed Southeastern Louisiana to a 2-0 non-conference victory over Mississippi Valley State in the 2010 women's soccer season opener for both teams Friday afternoon at the STYSA Fields.

The Lady Lions (1-0) out-shot Mississippi Valley State (0-1), 21-3, but had trouble finding the net against the Delta Devils. MVSU was led by freshman goalkeeper Shelby Willcocks, who posted 10 saves in her collegiate debut.

The Southeastern backline of senior Brittany Prieto, junior Lauren Crawford, along with freshmen Kelsey Salcido and Shanyce Shaw were effective in limiting Delta Devil opportunities. Junior goalkeeper Lacey Bockhaus was credited with three saves, posting her 22nd career shutout – three off the school record and four from the Southland Conference mark.

Southeastern head coach Blake Hornbuckle was pleased with his team's perseverance in the season opener.

“We had to grind this one out against a tough Mississippi Valley State team that played very hard and physical,” Hornbuckle commented. “We had numerous chances in the first half and just couldn't finish unfortunately. We kept pushing and Tabitha opened things up with a strong finish and we were able to put it away with a fantastic run by Maiya (Cooper) and Kerry.

“We were extremely pleased with the play of the entire backline, particularly Shanyce and Kelsey,” Hornbuckle continued. “Lauren Stillians was outstanding in the central midfield today and did everything we asked of her. Kerry was also a steadying presence on both flanks throughout the match.”

Southeastern was on the attack early in the match, as Willcocks turned away several Lady Lion shots in the opening 45 minutes. Sophomore Karly Dagys, Stillians, and Cooper were all turned away, as the teams went into the half scoreless.

The match remained deadlocked until the 73rd minute. Dagys started the scoring opportunity with a shot that deflected off the hands of Willcocks and landed at the feet of senior midfielder Natalie Santana. Santana then ripped a shot from just outside the box that bounced off the far post. The ricochet bounced right to McReynolds, who knocked in her first collegiate goal from point blank range. The assist was the 21st of Santana's career, moving her four away from the league and school record held by Southeastern Hall of Famer Becca Weingartner.

MVSU went on the attack and had a corner kick with two minutes remaining. Dagys came out of the pile with the ball and led Cooper with a long pass down the right flank. Cooper ran it down, settled it and hit McWhirter with a cross. The Olathe, Kan. put it in to end the MVSU upset bid.

Southeastern will return to action on Sunday, hosting Southern Mississippi at 4 p.m. at the Southeastern Soccer Complex.