Two Late First Half Goals Lead No. 16 Rice to 2-0 Victory over Stephen F. Austin

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HOUSTON — Two goals in the final eight minutes of the first half was all the Rice Soccer team needed as it defeated Stephen F. Austin, 2-0, Sunday night from Holloway Field.

The Details
The first 10 minutes of the game were a defensive battle. Play began to pick up as Rice got three straight shots over the next seven minutes, including two on net. Then in the 24^th minute, Vyviene Spaulding took a pass from Madison Kent and beat her defender before getting a shot on goal, but the SFA goalkeeper was there to make the save. But in the 37^th minute, Rice finally broke the standstill. Bella Killgore sent the ball over midfield where Kent headed it ahead to Izzy McBride, who broke in alone and fired a shot past the goalkeeper for the 1-0 lead. Just two minutes later, the Owls added another. Ziyana Samanani fired a shot off of Catarina Albuquerque's corner kick that the goalkeeper was came out to stop. However, the rebound went right to Caleigh Boeckx who put it just under crossbar to send Rice into halftime with a 2-0 lead. The second half saw Rice come out from the start and dictate the play. Both teams had chances but the Owls were able to keep the Lumberjacks off the board for their second straight shutout.

What Brian Lee Had to Say
"I think Stephen F. Austin came in really ready to play and fight. The first 20-to-30 minutes of the game, they were winning all of the 50-50 plays. They were certainly dictating how the game was going to go. Eventually, it settled down. You always want your subs to make a difference in the game, in a positive way. I thought in the first half, the game changed when we rotated a little. That's their job. I thought several players did well to turn the game around. The second half was very good overall. We didn't score a goal, but we played quite well and kept it straight in the back."

Up Next
Rice plays its first game away from Holloway Field this Friday, August 27, when it heads across town to face Houston Baptist. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and will be streamed by the Husky Sports Network.

Notes
• D Allison Padron made her first career appearance.
• The attendance of 1,195 is the seventh-highest to see a game at Holloway Field in school history.
• Rice won its first two games of the season for the third straight year and the fifth time overall.
• It is the first time in school history that Rice opened the season with two straight shutouts.
• The six goals through the first two games are the second-most in school history (7 in 2008).
• Rice improved to 6-2-0 all-time against Stephen F. Austin, including 4-1-0 in Houston.
• The Owls held an 18-to-14 advantage in total shots, but SFA placed eight shots on goal to Rice's seven.
• F Izzy McBride recorded her first goal of the year and the third of her career.
• It was also her second career game-winning goal.
• F Caleigh Boeckx recorded her first goal of the year and the sixth of her career.
• MF Madison Kent led all players with five shots.
• Kent recorded the fourth assist of her career.
• D Ziyana Samanani recorded her second career assist.
• GK Bella Killgore recorded her second shutout of the year and the 16^th of her career.
• Killgore made eight saves, the most since also making eight against Old Dominion on April 13, 2021.

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