University of Houston
Texas
Houston Drops Season Opener to Texas
8/22/2011 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Game Stats | Season Stats | 
Photo Gallery | 1 | 2 | F | |
| Texas | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Houston | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Quick Stats | UH | UT |
| Goals | 0 | 3 |
| Shots | 14 | 8 |
| Shots on Goal | 1 | 5 |
| Saves | 3 | 1 |
| Offsides | 0 | 1 |
| Fouls | 9 | 9 |
| Cards (Y/R) | 1/0 | 0 |
| Statistical Leaders | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goals | Assists | Shots | ||
| Stephanie Derieg | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| Jessica Zavalza | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| GA | Saves | Shots | Min | |
| Sydney George | 2 | 3 | 14 | 90 |
HOUSTON - The University of Houston soccer team dropped a tough match to No. 39 Texas Monday evening, falling by a score of 3-0. Texas was able to send the record crowd of 1,321 home disappointed after the Cougars failed to capitalize on their own chances.
Houston controlled the ball well in the stages of the first half before they were rewarded with their first scoring opportunity. Jessica Zavalza had a surprise scoring opportunity when a Texas defender and goalkeeper collided, leaving her a temporary alley to the goal. Zavalza was unable to set herself as she rushed the shot and kicked it into the retreating backline for the Longhorns.
In the 25th minute, the tides turned in favor of the Longhorns when Lexi Harris scored a header off of a Nina Frausing free kick. The shot, from near midfield, barely hit Harris' head as it richotched into the goal.
Reminiscent of the Cougars exhibition against TCU, Texas returned to score again on the next possession, giving them two goals by the 25th minute. Harris took a shot from the left wing, barely slipping it past George.
It seemed that fatigue might have been a factor for the Cougars as a flurry of substitutions followed the two goals and the Cougar defense held strong for the final 20 minutes of the half.
In the second half the Cougars came out more aggressive, getting off two shots on goal in the 51st minute. Sami Sackos narrowly missed a shot wide left after a great pass from Kayla Walker that sprang her open on the right flank.
Kelsey Zamora then followed the Sackos attempt with a shot from the left wing after breaking free from the Texas defense, but was unable to capitalize.
"Tonight it just seemed like Texas had more luck on their side," said Houston head coach Susan Bush.
"I thought we matched their aggression, but they seemed to link passes better than us and they knew each others tendencies better than we did," Bush said "I feel like the more we play, the more we will recognize each others' patterns and the better we will be."
In the 89th minute, Longhorn midfielder Kristin Cummins broke free to score the third and final goal of the contest.
The Cougars played very hard in the contest although the scoreboard does not reflect the determination and aggression Houston displayed tonight.
"Although the score was 3-0, I don't think it reflects the way that we played the game, we will continue to adjust and get better," said Bush.
UP NEXT
Houston will prepare for this weekends trip to Durham, North Carolina, where they will compete in the the Carolina Nike Classic. The Cougars will face Duke Friday, 4 p.m., before facing Bush's alma mater, North Carolina
