Rice University
4-2-1
Houston Baptist
3-3-0
Owls Shut Out HBU 2-0
9/18/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
HOUSTON -- The Rice soccer team got second half goals from freshman Kate Edwards and sophomore Shelley Wong and the Owls' defenders were the key to preserving a 2-0 shutout win over visiting Houston Baptist Tuesday evening at the Rice Soccer Stadium. The Owls improved to 4-2-1 on the year while HBU fell to 3-3-0 overall.
Rice held a 27-1 advantage in shots for the game, including a 9-0 difference in the first half. HBU held off the charge in the first half, but the Owls turned up the offensive pressure in the second for a pair of scores. In the 50th minute, sophomore Erin Scott served a long crossing pass from wide on the right wing. She found Edwards open seven yards in front of the goal and the Owl newcomer needed only a quick touch to settle the ball and fire a shot to the back of the net. The goal was Edwards' team-leading fifth goal of the season. The standout from Westlake Village, Calif, has scored five times in Rice's seven games.
"We had some one and two-touch passes like we wanted, but we didn't finish nearly as much as we should have," Edwards said. "We did a little bit better second half, but we need to be a lot sharper and we need to play that way for an entire game."
Scott also had a role in the Owls' second goal of the night. In the 68th minute she drew defenders away from the keeper's box before passing to Wong inside the six-yard line. Wong, who led all players on the night with seven shots, easily found the back of the net on the left side from close range. The insurance score was Wong's second goal of the season and doubled the margin to 2-0.
The shutout was Rice's third of the year. The freshmen goalkeeper tandem of Meghan Erkel (77 minutes played) and Catherine Fitzsimmons (13 minutes) did not allow any goals on the night, but credit the Owls' backline for keeping the pressure off and holding HBU to a season low of just one shot attempt. Senior defenders Beth Martin and Lindsay Jaggers played the entire game. The freshman defensive duo of Korey Taylor and Jordan Holloway were also up to the defensive task. Taylor started for the seventh-straight game and played 84 minutes. Holloway made her first collegiate start and played the entire game. The Blue & Gray started four freshmen on the night.
"We may have some freshmen starting, but our expectations are very, very high," Taylor said. "Our coaches have high expectations of us. It's us to meet them every game. We have a quick turn-around so we have to be ready to play in a few days."
Rice next hosts regional rival Texas State on Friday (Sept. 21). The start time for the match is slated for 7 pm at the Rice Soccer Stadium.
Team Stats
Kate Edwards (5)
Assisted By: Erin Scott
in front of the goal from seven yards
49:43
Shelley Wong (2)
Assisted By: Erin Scott
point blank range on the left side
67:12
