In an exhilarating women's soccer match on September 6, 2023, St. Thomas (Tex.) faced off against North American, with St. Thomas Head Coach Nataki Stewart seeking his first career win as a head coach for the Celts. The match took place under the lights at Sabercats Stadium.
The first half saw St. Thomas take control of the game early on. In the 15th minute, Riley Keck of St. Thomas made a brilliant solo run off a rebound and scored an unassisted goal, putting her team ahead 1-0. The goal energized the home crowd and set the tone for the match.
The story was the same in the second half as it continued to be dominated by St. Thomas. In the 50th minute, the Celts extended their lead with another unassisted goal, making it 2-0. The North American defense struggled to contain St. Thomas' relentless attack. Finally, in the 74th minute, Emma Cerda added to the scoreboard with another unassisted goal, bringing the final score to 3-0 in favor of St. Thomas.
The match was not without its share of physicality and intensity, as evidenced by a series of yellow cards handed out to players from both teams. St. Thomas had three cautions, and North American tabbed four cautions booked.
St. Thomas (Tex.) dominated in shots, tallying a total of 15 compared to North American's 6. The goalkeepers played a crucial role in keeping the scoreline in check. St. Thomas' Kylie Soich made three critical saves, while Anna Capp came in to finish the match. The corner kicks favored St. Thomas with 8, while North American managed just one.
The victory marked a significant milestone for St. Thomas Head Coach Nataki Stewart, as it was his first career win as a head coach for the Celts. His team showcased a strong performance both offensively and defensively, securing a well-deserved victory.
Up next, Women's Soccer heads to Brownwood, Texas for a match with Howard Payne. Follow ustcelts.com for all scores and updates.
