STEPHENVILLE, Texas — The Texans are clicking just in time for conference play.
Tarleton State (2-2-5) knocked off Texas Southern (1-7-1) 2-1 on Thursday night at the Tarleton State Soccer Complex. The Texans won their second straight match, and their first at home this season, in front of a sellout crowd on Greek Life Night, featuring several couches full of Greek Life members on the field during play.
The Texans are through non-conference action .500, going undefeated over the past five matches, with three straight draws and now back-to-back wins. That's the tied-longest undefeated stretch in program history (Aug. 31-Sept. 18, 2025, and Oct. 27, 2022, through Aug. 25, 2023). Tarleton State has scored 10 goals over its past three matches, after five goals in its first six matches.
Jessica Baires continued her offensive onslaught with a goal to open the match in the 22nd minute. She now has nine points over her past three matches, with two goals and five assists.
Zahra Friess scored her team-leading fourth goal of the year in the 65th minute to give the Texans a 2-0 cushion. She and
Avery Mendez assisted on Baires' goal, giving Friess a three-point night, seven points over her past three matches with a goal in each.
The Tigers scored in the 88th minute to give themselves a chance (Ava Coverdale), but the match was never really in doubt. Tarleton State outshot Texas Southern 20-8, including a 13-3 shots on goal advantage. Tarleton State also had a 5-0 corner kick advantage, and has not allowed a corner kick in each of its past two outings.
The Texans led 1-0 at the break, but most of the 500-person crowd thought it would be 2-0 for a stretch, with Friess seemingly scoring a header. Officials ruled offside on the Texans, and upheld the call on Tarleton State's challenge.
Baires led the Texans in both shots (five) and shots on goal (four).
Peyton Bryant, who played her ninth straight complete match, had four shots and three shots on goal. Friess and Mendez each had three shots and two shots on goal.
Rylie Bloomfield played all 90 minutes at goalkeeper, earning two saves with one goal allowed.
Tarleton State will be on the road to start its first season in the United Athletic Conference. The Texans will next play at Central Arkansas on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 7 p.m. CT in Conway, Arkansas.
