University of Houston
Louisiana-Lafayette
Soccer Drops Ragin' Cajuns 2-0 on Friday
9/5/2008 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Sept. 5, 2008
Houston vs Louisiana-Lafayette Box Score 
HOUSTON Freshman Jessica Zavalza made a resounding return to the lineup on Friday, scoring a pair of goals to lead the University of Houston soccer team to a 2-0 win over Louisiana-Lafayette at Robertson Stadium.
Zavalza now leads the club with three goals and six points just three games into her collegiate career.
"I'm really pleased with our team tonight," head coach Susan Bush said. "We were having issues finishing chances, but Jessica Zavalza gave us a big boost putting the game away in the second half.
"Our team stuck to our strategy and it showed. Louisiana-Lafayette is a great team and they give us a great matchup."
Houston (3-1-0) won its third straight game and, after battling injuries to several key players early in the season, seems to have found a rhythm on the field.
"Hopefully we can ward off more injuries," Bush said. "We are doing well right now, but each weekend gets tougher and tougher and we haven't played anyone in conference yet.
"We are having some success now, but we need to continue to improve and finish our chances."
Zavalza put the Cougars up early, scoring her first goal in the 6th minute. Senior Maegan Kiphart played a good ball through the Ragin' Cajun back line, finding an open Zavalza who deftly beat keeper Stephanie Weston one-on-one.
Zavalza would put the game away in the 73rd minute as she once again beat Weston. Freshman Stephanie Derieg played a ball up the left sideline, finding Zavalza in space as she penetrated into the box and finished with skill.
Senior goalkeeper Shelby Scott posted her second consecutive clean sheet and has only allowed a pair of goals in more than 371:00 minutes of action this season for a goals against average of 0.48.
Scott posted six saves, including a diving stop on a Callie Oliver rip just yards in front of the goal in the 76th minute to help preserve her tenth career shutout.
The Cougars now head out on the road for a very difficult four-game road trip where they will face No. 8 Texas, LSU, Baylor and Texas State.
"We still need to improve on things offensively and defensively," Bush said. "We need to stick to our game plan and work as hard as we can against those teams. If we do those things, I'll be pleased with the road trip."
