Southland media relations

CORPUS CHRISTI – In the first meeting of top seeds in the Southland Conference Soccer Tournament since 2012, No. 1 Lamar won its first title in convincing fashion, downing No. 2 Stephen F. Austin by a score of 2-0. A set piece goal off of a corner from Juliana Ocampo and a successful penalty conversion from Juli Rocha were enough for a Cardinal victory and an automatic bid to the 2017 NCAA Tournament.

SFA got off the first scoring chance of the just seconds after kickoff as Hanna Barker let loose with a booming long-range shot, forcing an immediate save from Lauren Lovejoy. (Highlight)

Lamar nearly had the opener off a free kick from 30 yards out, which Lucy Ashworth barely missed tucking into the top left corner as it rattled down off the crossbar and was pawed away by Allyson Smith. (Highlight)

Another long shot, this time from Lamar’s Amelia Fullmer, shook the crossbar again as the Cardinals threatened for the opener with just over 20 minutes played. On the corner kick that immediately followed, Ashworth sent the ball low and fast in front of goal which Juliana Ocampo got a header to for a 1-0 Lamar lead at the 23:01 mark. (Highlight)

SFA nearly returned fire with a shot from the center edge of the 18-yard box from Sophia Fondren that was expertly stopped by Lovejoy to preserve the Lamar lead.

With 5:22 to go in the first half, Lamar was awarded a penalty kick after Brittany Harris was brought down in the box. Juli Rocha sent her attempt into that back of the net to double the Cardinals’ lead. (Highlight)

Lamar would take the 2-0 lead into halftime, holding an 8-6 advantage on shots and holding SFA scoreless behind four Lovejoy saves. Fondren registered three shots on goal to lead the Ladyjacks, but the team found itself staring at a 2-0 second-half deficit behind a penalty kick and set piece.

The Cardinals pressed hard for a third goal in the second half, with SFA defenders clearing two wide open chances off the goal line. (Highlight)

With 25 minutes to play in the game, SFA had produced four second-half shots, including a Moore header off a corner kick which glanced just wide. The Ladyjacks were unable to break through as Lamar began to pull back its defense and nearly paid the price as they pressed for a goal when Lamar’s Harris found space in transition but pushed her shot wide right of Allyson Smith’s goal.

Lamar successfully held on for the 2-0 lead to earn its first ever Southland championship, completing an incredible Southland turnaround after finishing in last place with just one conference win in 2016. (Highlight)

Madison Ledet was named the tournament most valuable player, having notched a tournament-best two goals during Lamar’s run. (Ledet Interview)

The Cardinals earned five additional all-tournament honorees while SFA earned four. Goalkeeper Erin Smith of Abilene Christian also earned all-tournament distinction after posting two shutouts in the Wildcats’ games.

The Cardinals have earned the league’s automatic bid to the 2017 NCAA Soccer Tournament and will learn their destination in tomorrow’s NCAA Selection Show. The selections will broadcast live on NCAA.com tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. CT. The first-round matchups take place Nov. 10, 11 or 12 at non-predetermined campus sites.