Thursday, October 20
Houston, TX
6:30 p.m.
Rice University
10-7-0, 8-0-0
1
vs
0
WKU
6-7-3, 3-4-1
1
2
F
WKU
0
0
0
Rice
0
1
1
Photo by: Maria Lysaker
Jaden Roberts’ Late Goal Lifts Rice to 1-0 Victory over WKU on Senior Night
10/20/2022 10:20:00 PM | Women's Soccer
HOUSTON — Jaden Roberts' picked the perfect time for her first career goal, scoring with five seconds remaining to lift Rice to a 1-0 Senior Night victory over WKU that kept the Owls undefeated in Conference USA.
The Details
Rice came out strong offensively. Madison Kent had two straight chances in the ninth minute, but both went high. Ten minutes later, Madi Allen had a chance off a corner kick, but her header was kept out by a WKU defender. Rice again came close to taking the lead in the 28th minute when Grace Collins got in close and put the ball past the goalkeeper. But, again, a WKU defender kept it out of the net. Rice kept the offensive play going just before the half as Delaney Schultz split the defense, but her attempt was high and the teams went into halftime scoreless.
Rice wasted no time in the second half as Delaney Schultz tried to hit Collins for an open shot. But it was just out of her reach before WKU goalkeeper Alexis Bach slid in to corral it. The Lady Toppers had their best chance of the night in the 70th minute when, after a Rice foul, Katie Erwin sent the free kick toward the left corner. But, Bella Killgore made a diving save to keep them off the board. The teams went back-and-forth and it looked like Rice would have its first tie of the year. But with time winding down, it was awarded a corner kick. Collins' kick went through traffic where it found Roberts, who fired it into the top of the net with five seconds left and give the Owls the win.
What Head Coach Brian Lee Had to Say
"What a great goal for Jaden (Roberts). Really, I thought the back three were fantastic tonight. For her to step up and get the game-winner; it wasn't just the game-winner, it was a great goal. It was a beautiful strike. That's a Senior Night that they will remember. Not just the seniors, but the underclassmen. It was a great way to send off a wonderful group that's meant a lot to the program."
Up Next
Rice begins its final road trip of the season next Wednesday, Oct. 26 when it travels to Murfreesboro, Tenn., to face Middle Tennessee. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and the match will be streamed on ESPN+.
Notes
• This was the 10th meeting between Rice and WKU.
• Rice is 6-2-2 against the Lady Toppers, and 3-1-0 in Houston.
• Rice has started 8-0-0 in conference play for just the second time in its history and the first time since 2017.
• In conference play, the Owls are outscoring the opposition, 16-to-2.
• D Jaden Roberts scored her first career goal.
• F Grace Collins recorded her eighth assist of the season and the 31st of her career.
• Her eight assists tie the sixth-most in a season in school history.
• Collins has 22 points on the year to move into sole possession of ninth-place in a season in Rice history.
• GK Bella Killgore made three saves.
• Killgore now has 79 saves on the year to move into a tie for eighth-place with Amanda Giese (2005) and Amy Czyz (2013) on Rice's single-season list.
• Killgore picked up her seventh shutout of the year and the 25th of her career.
The Details
Rice came out strong offensively. Madison Kent had two straight chances in the ninth minute, but both went high. Ten minutes later, Madi Allen had a chance off a corner kick, but her header was kept out by a WKU defender. Rice again came close to taking the lead in the 28th minute when Grace Collins got in close and put the ball past the goalkeeper. But, again, a WKU defender kept it out of the net. Rice kept the offensive play going just before the half as Delaney Schultz split the defense, but her attempt was high and the teams went into halftime scoreless.
Rice wasted no time in the second half as Delaney Schultz tried to hit Collins for an open shot. But it was just out of her reach before WKU goalkeeper Alexis Bach slid in to corral it. The Lady Toppers had their best chance of the night in the 70th minute when, after a Rice foul, Katie Erwin sent the free kick toward the left corner. But, Bella Killgore made a diving save to keep them off the board. The teams went back-and-forth and it looked like Rice would have its first tie of the year. But with time winding down, it was awarded a corner kick. Collins' kick went through traffic where it found Roberts, who fired it into the top of the net with five seconds left and give the Owls the win.
What Head Coach Brian Lee Had to Say
"What a great goal for Jaden (Roberts). Really, I thought the back three were fantastic tonight. For her to step up and get the game-winner; it wasn't just the game-winner, it was a great goal. It was a beautiful strike. That's a Senior Night that they will remember. Not just the seniors, but the underclassmen. It was a great way to send off a wonderful group that's meant a lot to the program."
Up Next
Rice begins its final road trip of the season next Wednesday, Oct. 26 when it travels to Murfreesboro, Tenn., to face Middle Tennessee. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and the match will be streamed on ESPN+.
Notes
• This was the 10th meeting between Rice and WKU.
• Rice is 6-2-2 against the Lady Toppers, and 3-1-0 in Houston.
• Rice has started 8-0-0 in conference play for just the second time in its history and the first time since 2017.
• In conference play, the Owls are outscoring the opposition, 16-to-2.
• D Jaden Roberts scored her first career goal.
• F Grace Collins recorded her eighth assist of the season and the 31st of her career.
• Her eight assists tie the sixth-most in a season in school history.
• Collins has 22 points on the year to move into sole possession of ninth-place in a season in Rice history.
• GK Bella Killgore made three saves.
• Killgore now has 79 saves on the year to move into a tie for eighth-place with Amanda Giese (2005) and Amy Czyz (2013) on Rice's single-season list.
• Killgore picked up her seventh shutout of the year and the 25th of her career.
Team Stats
WKU
RICE
Goals
0
1
Shots
7
13
Shots on Goal
3
5
Saves
4
3
Corners
10
5
Fouls
7
7
Scoring Plays
Roberts, Jaden (1)
Assisted By: Collins, Grace
GOAL by RICE Roberts, Jaden (FIRST GOAL), Assist by Collins, Grace, goal number 1 for season.
89:55
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
MF
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's Soccer
MF
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's SoccerD/F
/ Women's Soccer
MF
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