Rice University
9-5-1, 5-1-1
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UTEP
16-2-1, 5-2-1
Robbins' Hat Trick Bumps UTEP, 3-1
10/23/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 23, 2005
HOUSTON - Freshman forward Caitlin Robbins recorded the third hat-trick in Rice soccer history, highlighted by the game-winning goal in the 85th minute, to lift the Rice soccer team to a 3-1 Conference USA win over visiting Texas-El Paso Sunday afternoon at the Rice Track/Soccer Stadium.
Fresh off a two-goal performance two days before in a 3-1 win over Tulane, Robbins capped-off a five-goal weekend with three more scores against a UTEP team that came into the game as the first place team in the conference with a 16-1-1 overall record. The local standout from nearby Lamar High School added her team-leading 9th, 10th and 11th goals of the season as Rice stretched its current unbeaten streak to four games while moving into a tie for third place (with UTEP) in the C-USA standings.
Robbins opened the game's scoring midway through the first half. In the 25th minute she fielded a pass from Samantha Conn 15 yards in front goal, turned and blasted a shot past the UTEP keeper to the back of the net on the right side. It was Conn's sixth assist of the season and the Owls took a 1-0 lead.
UTEP answered with a score to tie the game late in the period. In the 41st minute Miner junior Ashleigh Decker found forward Cara Nordin open from 12 yards away. Nordin converted on a shot to the high right side for her 10th goal of the season.
The teams traded shots through the second half and both goalkeepers were up to the task. Rice got an emotional boost in the 70th minute when Rice keeper Adriene Giese, a true freshman from California, made a dynamic save on a Miner penalty kick to keep the game deadlocked 1-1. She finished the day with five saves on 14 UTEP shots.
"I can't even imagine what that feels like, being a goalkeeper getting ready to face that situation, especially a freshman in a really, really big game," Rice head coach Chris Huston said. "That was huge. She's done a great job all year and with her work rate I think she is only going to get better."
In the 85th minute Rice sophomore Beth Martin served a free kick to Robbins in a seam on the left side. Robbins beat a defender to break free and scored on a sprint from 10 yards away to make the score 2-1. UTEP still had some time to work with, but in the 88th minute sophomore Lennie Waite made a steal and passed to Robbins, who bounded a the ball past a charging UTEP keeper for her third goal of the day. The Owls hung on for a 3-1 final score while holding the lead in shots (19 to 14) and corner kicks (9-2).
Robbins' hat trick tied the Rice school record for goals in a single game set by Angela Aaker in 2004 and tied earlier this year by Katlyn Ferguson against Texas Southern. Rice moved to 9-5-1 on the season and 5-1-1 in Conference USA action. UTEP suffered only its second loss of the year and is now 16-2-1 overall and 5-1-1 in league play.
"I think that was probably our best game to date," Huston added. "The girls played the full 90 minutes. They played hard, with a lot of heart and a lot of intensity. It was just awesome. UTEP's a good team and it's always a close game. I'm just really, really proud of the girls. We honored our seniors today and this was a great way to play and win with their families here."
The Owls are on the road for their final two regular season games of the year next weekend before hosting the C-USA Tournament on Nov. 2-6. The Blue and Gray travels to Orlando to face Central Florida on Friday (Oct. 28) followed by Southern Miss in Hattiesburg on Sunday (Oct. 30).
"It's always tough on the road, and these next two are going to be a challenge," Huston said. "UCF is tied for first in the conference so this is an opportunity we have to be prepared to meet.
Team Stats
ROBBINS, Caitlin (9)
Assisted By: CONN, Samantha
from 15 yards out in front of goal
24:43
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NORDIN, Cara (10)
Assisted By: DECKER, Ashleigh
from 12 yards in front of goal
40:37
ROBBINS, Caitlin (10)
Assisted By: MARTIN, Beth
on a breakaway from 10 yards
84:02
ROBBINS, Caitlin (11)
Assisted By: WAITE, Lennie
GOAL by RICE ROBBINS, Caitlin, Assist by WAITE, Lennie, goal number 11 for season.
87:58
