No. 22 Rice Soccer Defeats Lamar, 2-1, Exhibition Play

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Women's Soccer

vs UTSA

Nov 9

1 p.m.

Lakewood Ranch, Fla.

HOUSTON — Vyviene Spaulding headed in a perfect cross from Serena Pham in the 87^th minute to give the No. 22 Rice Soccer team a 2-1 victory over in-state rival Lamar in each team's final exhibition match, Saturday night at Holloway Field.

The Details
Despite controlling the majority of the play in the offensive zone, Rice was held off the board as the teams played scoreless soccer for most of the game. But the Owls picked up their play with two great opportunities. In the 67^th minute, Catarina Albuquerque got free in the box and rang one off the crossbar. About a minute later, Delaney Schultz sent a shot towards the top of the net, but Lamar's goalkeeper Vivienne Carr leapt to her right to get her hand on the ball, knocking it over the net. Rice finally broke the standstill in the 73^rd minute when the Cardinals were called for a foul and Rice was awarded a penalty kick. Bella Killgore made it count, placing the ball just inside the right post for a 1-0 advantage. But the lead didn't last long. As Lamar sent the ball out of its defensive zone, Killgore came up toward midfield to play it. However, Christine Kitaru was able to reach it first, knocking it just past Killgore, eventually putting it into a wide open net to tie the game. But with time winding down, Mijke Roelfsema stole the ball just over midfield and found Serena Pham, who dribbled down the left side before sending a cross toward the box. Spaulding was left all alone and headed the ball past Carr for the deciding goal.

What Brian Lee Had to Say
"I didn't think we played great by any stretch. But we showed good character at the end to get the winner. We had a good response to something bad happening. That's really important after we gave up the equalizer. A lot of different things could have happened and we reacted positively. We had a lot possession and a lot of chances, but we really weren't great on our good chances. It's certainly something we need to work on."

Up Next
Rice begins the 2021 regular season next Thursday, August 19, when it hosts Sam Houston State at 7 p.m.

Notes
• Rice held a 26-to-5 advantage in total shots, including a 10-to-2 advantage in shots on goal.
• Rice attempted 16 corner kicks, which would have set a school single-game record.
• Delaney Schultz led all players with five shots.
• Vyviene Spaulding led all players with three shots on goal.

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