Rice University
1-0-0
Auburn
0-1-0
Rice Topples No. 24 Auburn 2-1
8/27/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 26, 2005
Houston - The Rice soccer team delivered head coach Chris Huston the best possible birthday gift she could have asked for Friday night, a 2-1 come-from behind win over 24th-ranked Auburn in front of 1,276 fans in the season-opener for both teams at the Rice Track/Soccer Stadium.
Rice may have entered the match 0-8 against ranked opponents dating back to the first year of the program in 2001, but that streak has quickly disappeared with the start of the 2005 season. The Owls looked every bit the seasoned team in posting their first-ever win over a ranked foe.
Auburn jumped on the scoreboard first with a goal in the 24th minute. Senior Courney Candell headed a long pass down the left side and found teammate Ronda Brooks two yards out on the right side. Brooks struck the ball to back of the net and gave the Tigers a 1-0 lead. Auburn was in front but the shots were even, 3-3, and the defending SEC West champs had to make three saves on shots to keep the Blue and Gray in check.
"They gave us a little different look early on offense, but we did a good job adjusting and pretty much had it covered," said senior team captain Erin Droeger. "We worked hard all preseason and came out and played well. The crowd got us into it and we knew we wanted it."
The rowdy 1,276 was the fourth-largest crowd in Rice history and the biggest since the program's debut in 2001. It helped the Owls turn up the intensity in the second half and apply even more offensive pressure with a 6-2 advantage in shots. In the 65th minute Droeger sent a free kick into traffic in the box, but found freshman Ashley Lucas. The Rice newcomer, who missed a major portion of the preseason including last week's scrimmage game, converted on her only shot attempt of the night for a goal and the game was tied 1-1.
Rice had a chance to take the lead in the 78th minute on a penalty kick. The attempt, however, went wide left. Auburn had dodged a bullet, but the Tigers committed another foul in the box in the 83rd minute and gave Rice its second penalty kick of the game. Sophomore Caitlin Robbins, who had to sit out most of last season with an injury, blasted a shot that went low, right and finally in for the go-ahead goal. The question of who was going to volunteer to attempt the second p.k. was never in doubt.
"I knew wanted to step up and take it," Robbins explained. "All game I felt like I was working hard, but nothing was going my way when I touched the ball. I wanted to do something. I felt really confident, so I decided to take it."
The Owls dug in for the final seven-plus minutes and helped freshman goalkeeper Adriene Giese close out a 2-1 win while working 90 minutes in her college debut. Rice improved to 1-0 while Auburn fell to 0-1. It turned into a memorable birthday for coach Huston, and winning was only one of the positives.
"I'm thrilled about the win, but I'm even more thrilled that this team came out and played hard for 90 minutes," Huston said. "That's one of the things we said before the start of the season - 'win, lose or draw, we want to play hard the whole 90 minutes.' I also told the team this is the best birthday present ever."
There won't be any time to celebrate. The Owls turn around and host former Conference USA team Saint Louis, now a member of the Atlantic 10, on Sunday (Aug. 28) at 1 pm.
Team Stats
BROOKS, Rhonda (1)
Assisted By: CRANDELL, Courtney
GOAL by AUBURN BROOKS, Rhonda (FIRST GOAL), Assist by CRANDELL, Courtney, goal number 1 for season.
23:32
LUCAS, Ashley (1)
Assisted By: BELLOW, Brandy
off a free kick in traffic
64:53
ROBBINS, Caitlin
RICE ROBBINS, Caitlin PENALTY KICK GOAL.
82:05
