Rice University
2-1-0
Alabama
2-1-0
Alabama Slips Past Rice, 2-1
8/29/2019 11:27:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Owls Next Return To Action On Sept. 6 In San Antonio
Rice suffered its first loss of the season after a 2-0-0 start. Alabama improved to 2-1-0 overall by holding off a sensational Rice attack in the second half where the Owls outshot the Crimson Tide 7-3.
Trailing 1-0 to start the second period, Rice senior forward Louise Stephens launched a rocket shot in the 48th minute from the top of the 18 that hit the crossbar. The Owls have hit the framework in each of the first three games so far this season, but this time it ignited the attack.
The Blue & Gray continued the offensive pressure and was awarded a penalty kick in the 56th minute. Senior Haley Kostyshyn confidently volunteered and notched the equalizer for her second goal of the season.
The game was deadlocked 1-1 midway through the second half, but Alabama moved back in front with a goal by Texas native Riley Mattingly in the 69th minute. Rice continued to fight but back-to-back shots in the closing seconds by Madison Kent and Delaney Schultz were high, and blocked, respectively.
Where the Owls certainly could point to improvement from last year's score between the same teams (a 5-1 win for the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa), just improving does not seem to satisfy the current squad. Rice played Thursday with the mindset it could win the match.
The Owls are off for the remainder of the weekend. The Blue & Gray are next in action on Sept. 6 with a match against national power South Florida at the UTSA Invitational Tournament in San Antonio.
Team Stats
Clem,Macy (2)
Assisted By: Pham,Serena
close range after a corner
16:08
Haley Kostyshyn (2)
RICE Haley Kostyshyn PENALTY KICK GOAL, goal number 2 for season.
55:55
Mattingly,Riley (1)
Assisted By: Rogers,Kat , Pham,Serena
quick wall passes
68:20
