UTRGV freshman goalkeeper Emma Lööv gives orders to the Vaquera defense during the second half of tonight’s game. UTRGV had 11 saves in the game, with Lööv contributing nine. OMAR E. ZAPATA/THE RIDER PHOTOS
The UTRGV and Grand Canyon University women’s soccer teams fought hard tonight, but neither managed to score a goal.
The home game started out with Grand Canyon University taking control of the Vaqueras’ side of the soccer field, with 37 minutes left.
UTRGV sophomore defender Libby Beilfuss stopped two shots right in front of the goal back to back. With about 16 minutes left in the first half, freshman goalkeeper Emma Lööv stopped a shot on goal.
Lööv played the whole game, finishing with a career-high nine saves.
With about 15 minutes left, redshirt junior Elina Seppälä attempted a long shot that bounced off the crossbar, narrowly missing a goal.
The second half was a similar story with Grand Canyon taking control of the ball and field, but still being unable to score a goal.
UTRGV redshirt junior midfielder Cami Dade received a yellow card at 22 minutes left on the clock.
Two Vaqueras, sophomore forward Amy Hislop and senior midfielder Kalia Beckwith each attempted a shot during the game.
The game ended in a scoreless draw, with the Grand Canyon University team attempting 30 shots and 13 corner kicks, bringing UTRGV’s record to (2-8-2, 0-3-2 WAC).
Also without a WAC win is Grand Canyon University, whose record is (4-5-2, 0-3-1 WAC).
Grand Canyon University Head Coach Chris Cissell was asked how he felt about his team’s performance.
“Not feeling good. … If you take 30 shots and have 13 corner kicks, you gotta at least make one in,” Cissell said.
Asked what he thinks his team could have done differently, Cissell replied, “Just finish our chances. All it took is just one. … We couldn’t find a goal in 90 minutes … but credits to [UTRGV] for figuring out a way to keep us off the board for 90 minutes.”
Mark Foster, UTRGV Women’s Soccer Team head coach, said the players were good against an excellent team today.
“I don’t wanna be harsh on the girls … but if you push me I would say, better luck with the [shot] and then a couple chances we had there could have been a little more composure on the ball,” Foster said.
Asked what he thought the team could have done better, Foster replied, “I think it’s a bit of luck … it was an inch, half an inch away from being a winning goal, you know, when it hits the underside of the crossbar.”
Goalkeeper Lööv said it was a good game.
“My teammates did a really good job,” she said. “They fought so hard out there. … They tried to close down the distance to make it easier for me to save them [shots on goal].”
The Vaqueras are set to play at 3 p.m. Sunday against California Baptist University at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex.
