CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas– The no. 1 seeded Stephen F. Austin soccer team (14-3-2, 8-2-0 SLC) faced the no. 3 seeded East Texas A&M (9-10-3, 6-3-1 SLC) in the 2024 Southland Conference Tournament Championship match.
Neither team was willing to give an inch as both defenses stood tall in the first half. The ‘Jacks and Lions went into the locker room tied at zero. The second half saw a renewed sense of urgency as both teams wanted to secure the victory in regulation. In the 79th minute, SFA was awarded a corner kick that was sent into the box by Ava Shannon right to the head of Erin Morgan who deflected it past the East Texas keeper to put the ‘Jacks up 1-0. Seven minutes later, Lily Hargrove passed the ball to a streaking Jayme Bailey on the right side who drove into the 18-yard box and sent the ball into the bottom left corner past the diving keeper for the second and final goal of the match. SFA held ET in check for the final five minutes of the match to secure their fourth SLC tournament championship, their first since 2012. One year removed from a season where the Lumberjacks only recorded two wins and were outscored 9-59, they finish the regular season with 14 wins and outscored their opponents 60-9.
Top Players of the Match:
• Erin Morgan: one goal (second career goal), one shot
• Jayme Bailey: one goal (21st career goal), one shot
• Ava Shannon: one assist (eighth career assist), six shots (led team)
• Lily Hargrove: one assist (fourth career assist), one shot
• Sierra McCluer: three saves, fifth shutout victory, 10th career win
After the trophy presentation the All-Tournament Team was announced. Jayme Bailey was named MVP after recording a goal in the past two matches and four shots. Bailey was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Ava Shannon, Brielle Buchanan, Maddie Bowers, Erin Morgan, and Ella Morgan.
SFA will be hosting a watch party for the NCAA Soccer Selection show at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, November 11th in the SFA Alumni Center. We invite all fans and alumni to join us!*Record heading into weekend games