Soccer Team Falls At Houston Friday Night, 1-0

Friday, October 31

Robertson Stadium

7:00 PM

Rice University

-1070, 650 CUSA

Houston

-691, 371 CUSA

Team	1	2	Final F
Rice	0	0	0
Houston	1	0	1

<b>Catherine Fitzsimmons</b><br>Hanszen College

Soccer Team Falls At Houston Friday Night, 1-0

10/31/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Oct. 31, 2008

Box Score

HOUSTON -- The University of Houston scored a goal early in the first half and then hung on for a 1-0 Conference USA win over visiting Rice Friday night across town at UH's Robertson Stadium. The game was the last of the regular season for both teams, but Rice's season is not over. The Owls will serve as the host of the 2008 C-USA Tournament beginning on November 5 (Wed.) at the Rice Soccer Stadium.

In the game's 13th minute, UH's Kaitlin Thulin worked the ball on the right wing and passed to Jessica Zavalza inside the keeper's box. Zavalza needed only a touch from close range to put the ball in the back of the Rice net near the right-side netting.

Rice looked like it might come right back and even the game in the 17th minute. Midfielder Shelley Wong dribbled in from the left side and passed to Amy Beger breaking in on the goal. Beger took an attempt from 10 feet that was saved by Houston. Beger ended up leading the Blue & Gray with four shots on the night. Houston held a 15-9 advantage in shots and took all six corner kicks in the game.

With the loss the Owls fall to 10-8 on the season and close out the C-USA slate at 6-5. Rice's six conference wins this season is tied for the most league victories in the soccer program's history. Houston finishes its year at 7-9-1 overall and 3-7-1 in the league. Rice had won each of its last two meetings against its crosstown rivals and had not lost to UH in soccer since 2002.

The Owls' season begins anew with the start of the annual C-USA Championship next week. Rice hosts the eight-team, single elimination tournament where C-USA's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament will be on the line. Rice's first game will be played at 8 pm on Wednesday, Nov. 5. Semifinal action is set for Friday, Nov. 7. The championship final on Nov. 9 will be televised live by CBS College Sports.