Texas soccer gets shut out in season opener, 1-0

By Steve Lansdale

AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas soccer team outshot visiting Seattle University, 17-10, but mustered just one shot on goal in a season-opening 1-0 loss to the Redhawks at Mike A. Myers Stadium that was interrupted by a lightning delay of just over an hour.

The loss was the first in a season opener under head coach Angela Kelly, and the first for the Longhorns (0-1) since [s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)]2011.

Kelly said that the Longhorns started the game playing well, but were unable to maintain the advantage for long.

“I think during the first five minutes we started strong,” she said. “Then we allowed them to feel like they could play with us, and to their credit, Seattle did extremely well. We allowed them to get into the game. We were able to reorganize in that brief intermission we had, and then it became a question of mentality. Our girls need to have the mentality they had towards the end of the match, at the very beginning of the match. We need to be able to generate more scoring opportunities.”

Seattle got the game’s only goal in the 17^th minute when forward Brie Hooks ran on to a pass from midfielder Jennifer Plummer and scored past diving UT goalie Cara Connaster, who had a pair of saves in her first appearance.

Texas continued to press, outshooting the Redhawks, 9-5, in the first half, but none were on goal. UT also enjoyed a 5-3 advantage on corner kicks.

Kelly said after the game that although the Longhorns failed to score, they did create some scoring chances, and that those chances eventually will turn into goals.

“I think it’s like anything and you just have to break that seal,” Kelly said. “We created some good looks and somebody has to take that responsibility on their shoulders and go ahead and tuck one away. I believe, with the confidence of any team at the beginning of the season, as soon as one person finds one, then everybody plays a little more loose and more will follow.”

Julia Dyche and Olivia Brook paced the UT offense with three shots each, while Nakia Graham, Katie Glenn, Alexa Adams and Morgan Murphy each had a pair. Graham was credited with UT’s only shot on goal.

The Longhorns return to action next Friday when they host the College of Charleston in a 7:30 p.m. game that will be broadcast on the Longhorn Network.
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