University of Houston
Texas-San Antonio
Cougar Soccer Drops Season Opener in Double Overtime
8/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Aug. 23, 2009
HOUSTON - After having its scheduled season opener cancelled Friday due to lightning and inclement weather, the University of Houston women's soccer team was finally able to kick off its 2009 campaign Sunday at Robertson Stadium. The Cougars, however, came up just short in their bid to open the season with a victory, falling 2-1 to UTSA in double overtime.
The loss drops UH to 0-1 on the season while UTSA evens its record at 1-1.
Following a hard fought opening half, the two teams stood on the verge of heading to the intermission with a scoreless stalemate, but a rush in the waning moments of the opening period drew first blood for the visitors. Shortly after entering the game fresh off the Roadrunner bench, UTSA sophomore forward Taylor Padia was able to unleash a shot at the UH net that was turned away by sophomore Cougar net minder Lauren Frazier. Unfortunately for the home squad, the rebound found its way onto the foot of the Roadrunners' Jenny Munoz, who fired it into the back of the net to give UTSA the 1-0 lead with less than eight minutes to go in the half despite being out shot 8-6 in the period.
After play resumed in the second half, it did not take long for the Cougars to find the equilizer and knot the score at 1-1. A UH offensive rush saw a shot from sophomore Jessica Zavalza deflected off the goal keeper and into a scrum of players in front of the UTSA net, where freshman Avery Blasi emerged from the pack to convert for the first goal of her Cougar career at the match's 47:07 mark
The two teams remained deadlocked for the remainder of regulation and through 10 minutes of the first overtime period before the clock was reset for the deciding frame.
Just under three minutes into the second extra session, UTSA's Clara Jakunowki threaded a pass that sprung Halee Hamm in alone on Frazier. The UH goalkeeper turned Hamm's first shot away with a diving save but the effort left her out of position for Hamm's second attempt which ended the game at the 102:50 mark.
Frazier collected six saves during her first collegiate start, while Blasi lead the Cougars with six shots in 103 minutes.
UH soccer is back in action Friday when the Cougars try to even their record as they travel to Austin, Texas, to take on Texas at UT's Mike A. Myers Stadium.
