Sophomore midfielder Christina Cutura battles Nicholls freshman Kristy Helmers for the ball. The seniors of the Lady Lions team were honored prior to the start of the last game in Strawberry Stadium and clinched their fourth straight trip to the Southland Conference Tournament.   
Amber Grace Garrard

The Lady Lions soccer team had two reasons to be excited for their win against Nicholls. It was the soccer team’s senior day and also the game that decides whether the Lions would move on to the Southland Conference. 

This would have been the last game for the seniors to play at the university if they did not land a victory over Nicholls in Strawberry Stadium this past Friday at 7 p.m. 

“It’s the last chance for seniors to get to play at home in front of our fans so it’s just special because of the time and the effort they put in over the years to culminate into one night that is made for them,” said interim coach Matt Muia.

Before the game officially started, the seniors were honored on the field. 

“That was a jersey ceremony for the girls where they just got a chance to be recognized for their efforts and for their time and for building the legacy we have here and being a part of that,” said Muia. “It’s just for them to have their moment and to be with their family and share that time with them.”

The team hopes to continue building their legacy of winning another Southland Conference Championship. 

“We’re going back to the conference tournament,” said Muia. “This will be four years in a row for these girls so it’s really a special thing for them. They’ve won two out of the three so they could be the first class to win three out of four ever in Southeastern history.”

The Lady Lions kept Nicholls from making it on the scoreboard and broke their three-game losing streak by winning 3-0. 

Senior goalkeeper Hope Sabadash’s saves helped the Lions keep Nicholls from making four goals. 

Sabadash could not have been more excited for the win to move on to the Southland Conference. She grabbed a Canadian flag at the end of the game and danced around with it.

“It’s only right to go out on a win, especially with this team,” said Sabadash. “Four years, two championships, it’s definitely well deserved. So, hopefully we’re going for the third.”

This will be Sabadash’s last season with the Lady Lions because she will be graduating.

“I’m going to miss everybody, miss college soccer and hopefully move on and hopefully go pro in January,” said Sabadash.

Another senior that helped with Friday’s win was Casey Peacock who has been on the team for five years.

“This is my fifth year,” said Peacock. “I sat out for two injuries. I have been through a lot here, and obviously these girls are my best friends. I love them to death.”

Along with being excited for their win and hoping to win another tournament, Peacock shared what kind of legacy she wants to lead after being like an older sister to her teammates. 

“I hope I’ve made an impression on my teammates,” said Sabadash. “I have been a leader for a few years now since I am the oldest girl. Hopefully I just see I left my mark and showed some of the younger girls what it takes. That even going through adversity and stuff, how you can make it through and come out on top.”

Peacock did this by playing with all she has as soon as she could get out on the field after her injuries.

“You can still compete and do your best, even when the world is caving in on you,” said Peacock.

Muia wanted to recognize some of the other players that stood out during the game including senior Amber Lasher.

“Amber Lasher played an unbelievable game for us tonight,” said Muia. “Just a huge role player, completely unselfish, she really stepped up and really took one for the team tonight and fought for us.”

Other seniors who will be playing their last season here at the university along with Lasher, Sabadash and Peacock are Casey Jeanfreau, Lauren Lorentz, Katie Noonan and Marisa Rodrigues. 

The Lady Lions will play Houston Baptist in the first round of the Southland Conference  Tournament Wednesday, Nov. 2 in Corpus Christi, Texas. 

 

 The seniors of the Lady Lions team were honored prior to the start of the last game in Strawberry Stadium and clinched their fourth straight trip to the Southland Conference Tournament.   
Amber Grace Garrard/The Lion's Roar