Bobcats fall in first round of Sun Belt tournament

Texas State’s season came to an end on Wednesday when the No. 6 Bobcats fell to No. 3 Arkansas State in the first round of the Sun Belt tournament on penalty kicks, 0-0 (4-1).

The teams went back and forth all match long, but neither team could find the back of the net. After two scoreless overtimes, the game went to the penalty shootout.

The Red Wolves began with a shot to the right that senior goalkeeper Heather Martin couldn’t get to. Senior forward Kaylee Davis, who was named to the all-conference First Team on Tuesday, took the first kick for the maroon and gold. The ball flew wide right to put Texas State at a disadvantage.

Arkansas State made their next two penalty kicks and junior midfielder Mackenzie Smith got the Bobcats on the board with one as well. Senior midfielder Jordan Kondikoff, who was also voted to the All-Sun Belt First Team, tried to send the ball over the head of the Red Wolves’ goalkeeper but hit the crossbar instead. The No. 3 seed connected on the next shot to win the match.

Texas State finishes the season at 9-7-3 overall and 5-4-1 in league play. The Bobcats lose Davis, Kondikoff, senior goalkeepers Kathryn Budde and Heather Martin, senior forward Kalen Sanderfer and senior defender Genesis Turman this offseason. The team will return 24 underclassmen to next year’s roster.