When Genesis Turman put away the Bobcat’s lone goal in the shutout game against Prairie View A&M University in San Marcos on Sunday, she probably didn’t know that the goal would help break three records.
Texas State shattered their program record in the blazing Sunday heat with 15 consecutive wins or draws. The shutout was also the 13th over PVAMU consecutively, marking the longest active streak in the nation over a single opponent as well as the longest active undefeated streak countrywide.
The goal came off a ninth-minute corner kick from senior Renny Moore and pinballed between Aggie defense and Bobcat attacks before Turman sank the ball and led the Bobcats to 1-0.
“Ricochet, ricochet, ricochet,” Turman said. “It was really just about being in the right place at the right time.”
The Bobcats kept the defense airtight for the second time this season, keeping Prairieview’s shots at three and their shots on goal at two. Goalkeeper Kathryn Budde took over the position from Heather Martin in the second half to make the only save of the game.
“I think the back line is really syncing up together,” head coach Kat Conner said. “That’s hard when you’re not getting a lot of shots and they suddenly get a quick counter on you, so to keep your mental focus on such a hot game like this, I think they’re doing an awesome job back there.”
Senior Kaylee Davis, who has already earned recognition this season as the Sun Belt’s Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, led the fight up front with five shots on goal but was unable to see them through. Despite dominating 15-3 in shots and 7-2 in shots on goal, Bobcat offense was unable to finish their numerous drives to the net.
“I thought Prairie View came out very organized and played difficult for us and put together some things that really tested us,” Conner said. “We’ve got to start quicker and faster on putting on some offensive attacks and get in behind quicker so we can get better chances.”
The team’s offense has struggled to follow through in both games this season. In their opening win against Incarnate Word at home on Friday, they also had a lone goal despite attempting 13 shots and four shots on goal.
Freshman Bailey Peschel claimed the win with her first collegiate goal, capitalizing off of a cross from fellow freshman Karlee Torisk and sinking the ball in the bottom right corner.
Texas State defense once again shut out their opponent’s efforts, with senior goalkeeper Martin making a save in the first half in her 26th career win and Budde stopping two advances to the net.
The Bobcats are defending regular-season champions but were finessed out of the NCAA tournament in a heartbreaker loss by penalty kicks to Little Rock in the Sun Belt Championship Tournament last fall. Needless to say, revenge and redemption are on the mind of every player as they move past their winning opening weekend.
“We are going hard every day, we have the intensity, the want to be excellent is really what we’re doing,” Turman said. “’Strive for gold’ is what we say, and that’s what we’re going for every day, no matter what it is. Whether it’s warming up, whether it’s stretching, whether it’s practicing or playing, (we want) excellence all the time.”
In addition to their postseason goals, the team already has mounting pressure to maintain their conference title. In a preseason poll by Sun Belt head coaches, Texas State won 6 out of 12 votes as the projected conference champions. The Bobcats also swept the preseason specialty awards.
With a 2-0 record, the Bobcats are already on the right track to make this a winning season. However, some offensive and team improvements will have to be made before their next matchup and conference, according to Conner.
“I think it’s a little bit of composure,” Conners said. “I think we’ve just got work on them going with composure, so I think that’s what we’ve got to work on this week.”
The next test for Texas State is I-45 rivals UTSA in San Antonio this Friday.
“I know it’s going to be high intensity,” Conner said. “I know they’re going to come out after us. I know we snuck one out on them last year, so I know it’s going to be a battle, and I know we’ve got to finish our chances better, because you’re not going to get many against them.”
The Bobcats will play their toughest opponent yet at 7 p.m. on Friday at UTSA before coming back home for the teal match against Houston Baptist at 7 p.m. Sunday.