The Texas women’s soccer team cruised to a 6-1 victory over Texas A&M Corpus Christi in the season opening exhibition match at Mike A. Meyers stadium on Friday night.
“Tonight was a great test,” head coach Angela Kelly said. “Everything we discussed at half time [the players] implemented, their shape was better, they were focused. So I’m very pleased with the energy all around.”
The Longhorns went to the half with a 2-1 lead, but extended that lead after the break with goals in the 46th, 52nd, and 61st minutes, before one last goal in the 81st minute.
“I’m pleased with where we are,” Kelly said. “I understand that there is so much more that we need to cover, but excited that we were able to put six in the back of the net.”
The Horns dominated possession from start to finish, allowing the Islanders to possess the ball just 20 of the 90 minutes. Texas had 24 shots (16 on goal) to the Islanders 2 (2 on goal).
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The Longhorns also had the opportunity to give all of their bench players – save for two freshman backup goal keepers— some time on the pitch.
“It’s huge because the freshman have no idea what college soccer is like,” junior midfielder Sharis Lachappelle said. “It just adds that extra experience that we need as we continue on with the rest of the year.”
Kelly liked the outcome of the match but know her team still has plenty of improvements to make.
“We need to get better at everything,” Kelly said. “We need to get better organized defensively, which we didn’t touch on that at all in the first five days. As a unit we need to work on our spacing and our rhythm, which we will do.”
With two goals in the 46th and 61st minutes, Lachappelle led the Longhorn scorers.
“My second shot where I dribbled inside with my left foot, was something we had been working a lot on this preseason,” Lachappelle said. “[Kelly] even said before the game she wanted to see me a hit a goal from there. So it’s huge to see all the work we’ve been putting in paying off.”
The Horns found plenty of contributors from both the veterans and new comers on the squad. Sophomore midfielder Lindsey Meyer had an impressive night with her header off a Kelsey Schimmick corner kick for a goal in the 52nd minute, and her two assists in the game.
“I think Lindsey is one of the best headers in the country,” Lachapelle said. “She’s going to add so many goals off of free kicks and corners. So we’re really happy about the corners.”
When she scored her first collegiate goal – a ground rolling bullet past the Islanders’ keeper – freshman Jasmine Hart made a strong introduction as a forward for the Horns in the 39th minute.
“She was fighting for a couple more goals,” Kelly said. “She’s fearless in the attacking box. You can’t teach that.”
Sophomore Chantale Campbell opened the scoring for Texas with her goal in the 31st minute, and senior Brenda Saucedo wrapped up the scoring in the game when she found the back of the net in the 81st minute.
Texas begins regular season play Friday August 23rd against Georgia at 7 p.m. at Mike A Meyers stadium.
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