Published: November 01, 2009 11:24 pm      

Demons blank Bearkats

SHSU draws No. 4 seed, will play No. 5 Texas-San Antonio in first round of SLC tourney

Melanie Johnson right-footed in a shot from six yards out off a long through pass by Marissa Lees to score the only goal as Northwestern State shut out Sam Houston State 1-0 in the regular-season finale for both teams Sunday at Pritchett Field.

Demon goalkeeper Lindy Strahan earned the shutout making six saves on Sam Houston State’s 16 shots.

Shelby Grissett and Leah Snelson led the Bearkat attack with six shots apiece.

The victory lifts Northwestern State’s record to 11-9 for the season and 4-5 in Southland Conference play. Sam Houston falls to 8-9-2 for the year and 5-4 in league matches.

Sam Houston clinched a berth as one of the six teams in the Southland Conference postseason tournament Friday night with its 4-2 victory over Central Arkansas. The Kats are going to the tournament for the third time in the soccer program's seven years.

“Obviously, it’s disappointing to lose your final home game, but we’re in the tournament and that’s the important thing,” Sam Houston State head coach Tom Brown said.

Texas State won the regular season championship and will get a bye in the first round Thursday night in Natchitoches, La., as the No. 1 seed. Southeastern Louisiana, seeded second, also will get a bye.

Stephen F. Austin, the No. 3 seed, will meet the sixth-seeded McNeese State at 4:30 Thursday afternoon to kick off the tournament. Sam Houston State, the No. 4 seed will battle against the No. 5 seed, Texas-San Antonio in the nightcap at 7 p.m. The tournament semifinals are Friday night. The finals will be play Sunday afternoon and will be televised regionally by the Southland TV network.

The winner of the postseason tournament receives the Southland’s automatic NCAA tournament bid.