Zhang’s First Career Goal Gives Rice its First AAC Win

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Women's Soccer

vs UTSA

Nov 9

1 p.m.

Lakewood Ranch, Fla.

PHILADELPHIA – After being scoreless nearly the entire match, Sophie Zhang gave the game-winning strike in the 80th minute to give Rice its first ever AAC win over Temple Thursday night in Philadelphia.

How It Happened
Rice applied pressure early, with Sarah Piper sending a cross into the box in the opening minutes, but the pass sailed just out of the reach of Ellen Halseth. Halseth came right back at the 14th minute, with an open look with the goalie out of position, but she pulled the shot just wide right. Piper had another look with 15 minutes left in the half, but the Temple keeper was in the right spot to catch the shot and keep the match scoreless. Temple recorded its first shot in the 36th minute but the defense held as both sides went into the half scoreless.

Rice thought they had the game's first goal at the 60:11 mark, but Carsyn Martz's goal was wiped off after an offsides call against Rice. Martz had another chance with 18 minutes left off a corner kick, but her header just hit the inside of the post as Temple was able to clear it out. After forcing a Temple miscue, Halseth had a breakaway with a defender and found Zhang across the box who fired a shot off the bar but was able to recover on the rebound to record her first career goal with 10 minutes left to play. Temple tried to answer back, but Hannah Pimentel was able to keep the home Owls off the board for her first clean sheet of the season as Rice blanked Temple 1-0.

Up Next
The Owls wrap up their two-game road trip on Sunday when the team faces UAB.

Quick Hits
Rice and Temple were even in shots 8-8 and 4-4 in shots on goal.
Temple had an 8-6 corner kick advantage.
This was the first ever meeting between Rice and Temple.
Pimentel recorded four saves as Rice recorded its first shutout of the season.
Halseth recorded her team-leading 14th point with an assist.

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