SAN ANTONIO, Texas – For the second straight year, Centenary (9-5) claimed the fourth seed and will kickoff Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament play. In 2018, the Ladies battle fifth seeded Schreiner (3-8-2) at 11 a.m. at Trinity University.
Schreiner vs Centenary: Live Stats | Live Video
What's at Stake?
If Centenary picks up a win against Schreiner, it would:
- Equal the programs best win total in the NCAA Division III era (10-8-1 in 2011)
- Ensure the Ladies best winning percentage as a member of NCAA Division III
- Be the Ladies first win ever in conference tournament action.
These Teams Have a History
Friday's match-up will not be the first time these two teams have met in the SCAC Tournament. In 2016, with host Schreiner as the fourth seed and Centenary the fifth seed, the Mountaineers and Ladies kicked off that year's championship. Centenary scored the first two goals of the game, but Schreiner tied the game in regulation and won in double overtime.
The Ladies have five current players who played in that contest: senior Liz Knight and juniors Betzabet Bravo, Serena Gallegos, Olivia Jackson, and Emilee Byrd. Jackson scored her first collegiate goal in the contest.
The Mountaineers Cailee Morgan, who scored the game-winning goal in the second overtime, is a senior in 2018.
Schreiner leads the all-time series, 8-5-2, but Centenary swept the 2018 regular season series. In the first meeting September 9 in Shreveport, Schreiner jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second half before two goals by junior Kyra Montes tied the game. Montes converted a penalty kick in overtime to complete the first of two hat tricks for her on the year. Less than a week later, Montes made another penalty kick – this time with less than a minute remaining in the game – as Centenary won 1-0 in Kerrville, Texas.
What a Season
It has been quite the season for Centenary as a team and individually. The Ladies began 2018 with six straight wins – the best start to a season in the program's Division III era and tied for the best overall. The six conference wins also equally set a record for most SCAC wins in program history.
But announced this week, four Ladies made the All-Conference squad – the most in 21 years. Senior Kyra Montes appeared on the SCAC First Team for the second consecutive season, only the second Centenary player to accomplish that feat (1993 and 1994, Centenary Hall of Fame inductee Shelley Murasak). Junior Emilee Byrd also made the First Team, while classmate Betzabet Bravo (Second Team) appeared on the All-Conference team for the second year in a row.
Kat Martinez made Honorable Mention team, becoming the first freshman player in four years to pick up this honor.
To read more, click here.
Next Up
Should the Ladies win or tie but advance in a shootout, Centenary will take on the host, #16 Trinity. Match time is set for 11 a.m. Saturday morning.