In under two minutes, UTRGV established its dominance after scoring two unanswered goals that led the Vaqueras to a 5-0 victory earlier tonight at home against Texas Lutheran University.
Less than two minutes into the game, UTRGV forward Amanda Lozano gave the team an early head start.
“I’m very excited; I’ve been working really hard this past year and I’m just glad that I was able to get a goal,” Lozano said after the game.
Her shot was deflected but made its way past Texas Lutheran goalkeeper Madison Stout.
“I feel like we started off very well and then our game went lower and then our second half, we just responded very well we had a way better second half and, hopefully, throughout the season, we can continue just playing well,” she said.
Thirty-six seconds later, Vaquera forward Isabella Marinaro scored after a cross from fellow forward Sarah Bonney.
Fifteen minutes into the game, the Vaqueras had full control.
UTRGV Head Coach Glad Bugariu said he was more than satisfied with his team’s performance.
“We’re always happy we have more goals than the opponent,” Bugariu said. “That’s the name of the game; I was happy with the type of goals we scored, especially in the second half. I thought we had some excellent combination play, a good-set-piece goal. Overall, I’m pleased but more work has to be done for Sunday’s game.”
UTRGV started the second half with a 2-0 lead until Vaquera defender Katherine Stokely scored a free kick from outside the box.
With a total of 34 shots, the Vaqueras intensified their gameplay throughout the second half, dominating the Bulldogs.
Texas Lutheran University’s Head Coach Larry Schaffer said he was disappointed with the score but hopes his team can use this as a learning opportunity.
“We were a little disappointed because we didn’t react very well,” Schaffer said. “The girls have to be able to sort that out on their own and make those switches on the field and not wait for us to make them here on the bench.”
In the closing quarter of the game, Vaquera midfielder Anna Torslov had a shot blocked, to which she responded by hustling back and providing an assist to fellow midfielder Jacqueline Zapata. Zapata netted the ball for the fourth goal of the game.
Shortly after, Torslov went on to score her first goal of the season after an assist from UTRGV midfielder Elina Seppala.
“It’s always nice to score goals,” Torslov said. “Last week, we obviously lost and that’s never fun. We’ve always been told to have a good response to that and that’s what we did. We came out and scored goals.
“Now we are going to Illinois on Saturday to play Sunday, so that’s what’s next.
UTRGV will hit the road to face Southern Illinois University at noon Sunday.
