The Sam Houston State Bearkats opened up their season this past weekend facing off against two conference foes, both hailing from Louisiana, the Centenary Gents and the Louisiana Lafayette Ragin Cajuns.
The Bearkats took the field Saturday February 12th in their season opener facing the Gents from Shreveport. Sam Houston’s roster included many familiar faces with a couple of new additions to include the most recent addition being recently hired head coach, Jim Perouty. Coming off of an undefeated Lone Star Alliance season in 2010, the Bearkats picked up where they left off without skipping a beat. Sam Houston jumped out to a quick start and by the end of the first quarter led the Gents 7-0.
The Bearkats widened the margin adding another four goals before halftime. Freshman goalie Cameron Stout made an impressive college debut by holding the Gents to no goals throughout the first thirty minutes of play. During halftime, Coach Perouty made adjustments and the Bearkats came out firing in the third quarter registering six more goals. They would eventually cruise to a 20-3 victory over the 2010 LSA runner-ups. Notable Bearkat performances were turned in by Attackman Brendan Gawronski (3g,4a, 12gb) and Attackman Michael Mann (7g,3a). Senior Defenseman Travis Cottle was also a hawk on opposing attackman as he stripped his hapless opponents of the ball on countless occasions. Freshman Cameron Stout opened some eyes in winning his first collegiate game between the pipes posting an impressive save percentage of .667.
Sunday, February 13th the Bearkats took the field in game two of their two game weekend facing the Ragin Cajuns from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. Sam Houston stumbled out of the gates before finally finding the back of the net near the middle of the first quarter. One goal was all it took for the Kats to heat up as their snipers zeroed in on their targets and reeled off another six goals before the end of the quarter. In the second stanza, the Ragin Cajuns tightened up their defense and Sam Houston fell victim to the penalty box as they committed three needless penalties. However, the Bearkats still went into the locker room leading 9-0.
During halftime, Coach Perouty calmed his team down and his relaxed approach was just what the Bearkats needed to come out and finish the second half of the game. The transition game picked up for the Kats and sparked a fire in their offense as they added seventeen goals in the final half. Much of the Bearkats second half success was due to their relentless defense. Sophomore All-American Greg Kreman and Junior All-American John Messer both anchored the defense forcing many turnovers. John Messer was a human vacuum cleaner as he swiped up eighteen ground balls. Many Bearkats played exceptionally well but most notable were Nick Williams (8g), Zachary Fry (2g,4a), Sam Lockett (3g,2a), Brendan Gawronski (2g,3a), Michael Mann (3g,2a), and Defenseman Forrest Schmidt netted a goal on his birthday as he traveled the length of the field to score an unassisted goal. Great goalie play was displayed by Avery Flores and Cameron Stout as they collaborated on the shutout.
In having practice just three times leading up to the weekend, the team displayed great teamwork and their unselfish play will pay dividends as they get into the meat of their season.
Sam Houston is now 2-0 under Head Coach Jim Perouty and will continue their season next weekend, February 19th against the SFA Lumberjacks and will return home the following weekend on the 26th to take on Austin College.
