UTRGV bests HCU in physical contest
The UTRGV Women’s Soccer Team outlasted the Houston Christian University Huskies 1-0 tonight in a defensive duel at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex on the Edinburg campus.
The Vaqueros (5-3-4, 1-0-3 SLC) tallied their first Southland Conference win in program history and continued their undefeated streak, while the Huskies fell to 3-7-3 overall and 1-2-1 in SLC play.
UTRGV Women’s Soccer head coach Mark Foster said he was “happy” the team won its first SLC game, as it entered this match on a streak of three straight draws.
“Too many times they heard me say good performance, good performance but they didn’t get what they deserved,” Foster said. “I’m delighted for them tonight to get what they deserved. I thought we were defending well. I thought we were attacking well.”
Redshirt junior winger Savannah Frisby headed the deciding goal in the 49th minute off a corner kick. After the game, Frisby said she was “excited” to make program history.
“I’m really excited [about] the first win in the new conference,” she said. “I just wanna keep going up and go through the tournament and keep on winning.”
Although the Vaqueros controlled the possession to start the game, the Huskies were effective in creating chances on the counterattack. However, neither team seized the opportunities they created out the gate.
Houston Christian then began to settle into the match, pushing the ball into the UTRGV half. This kicked off a physical match where both teams moved the ball without scoring.
In the first half, the Huskies outshot the Vaqueros 3-1 while the Vaqueros forced more corners (5-0). The Vaqueros made a push to score near the end of the half, but it ended 0-0.
After a physical yet scoreless first half, the Vaqueros began the second half by applying pressure to the Huskies back line.
In the 49th minute, a corner kick by sophomore defender Rosie Train found Frisby, who headed it into the net to give UTRGV a 1-0 lead.
Following this, the Vaqueros made more efforts to score their second goal; however, the Huskies’ defense held serve to prevent any additional damage. UTRGV outshot HCU 4-1 in the second half.
Both defenses put together a tough fight all game. Following the opening goal, both back lines left it on the pitch, with several players on both trading tackles and pressure.
Huskies junior midfielder Alexa Huerta made a bid to tie the game in the 77th minute that hit the woodwork and went into the teeth of the Vaqueros defense.
In the closing minutes, HCU intensified its efforts to find the match equalizer. UTRGV’s persistent pressure denied them that opportunity and the match ended in a 1-0 Vaqueros victory.
UTRGV plays its next match at 11 a.m. Sunday at home against the Stephen F. Austin University Ladyjacks (5-2-2, 2-1 SLC). Admission is free.
Abigail Ollave/THE RIDER
